Buffalo-area coach chosen as Messier Youth Leader
For his extraordinary commitment to youth hockey and his deep devotion to teaching young players the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and community service, Tom Barnett, of Amherst, N.Y., was named winner of the 2009 Bridgestone Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award. The award, which includes a $5,000 grant from Bridgestone Americas, was presented to Barnett by NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier.
The Bridgestone Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award was created to reward youth hockey players or mentors for their leadership and contributions to youth sports or education. More than 70 nominations were received for the award from across the United States and Canada.
Barnett founded the Shamrock Hockey club in Amherst, which focuses on education, teamwork, community service and, most importantly, having fun. The players are required to keep good grades, play as a team and give back to the community. Through Barnett's leadership, the Shamrocks created a unique partnership with the Buffalo Zoo, where players volunteer to work in the garden to produce edible plants for the animals. The program beautifies the zoo, feeds the animals and teaches the players valuable life lessons about the importance of giving back.
"We had so many impressive nominations for the award that it was difficult to choose a winner," Messier said. "Coach Barnett really embodies the things that youth hockey should be about. He's really an educator on skates who's not only teaching young players how be better players and teammates, he's teaching them to be leaders both on and off the ice. He's a very deserving recipient of the award."
"I'm surprised, I'm humbled and I'm very honored to be receiving this award," Barnett said. "I greatly admire the leadership and accomplishments of Mark Messier so winning this award is especially gratifying. It's really a testament to all of the volunteers and parents who have worked together to make Shamrock Hockey a great experience for the kids -- that's what it's all about."
"This award was created to reward people like Tom, whose leadership has enriched the lives of hundreds of young athletes and improved the quality of in his hometown," said Phil Pacsi, Vice President of North America Consumer Tire Marketing, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC. "At Bridgestone Americas we have a strong commitment to community service so we're very pleased to be able to partner with Mark and the NHL to encourage leadership in youth sports with a focus on volunteerism and education.".
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=521810
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