Ryan Carpenter Named San Jose Barracuda's 2015-16 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year

Mar 31, 2016

SAN  JOSE, CA – The San Jose Barracuda (@SJBarracuda)  presented by Barracuda Networks (@barracuda)  and the American Hockey League (@TheAHL)  affiliate of the San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) has  announced that Ryan Carpenter has been named the team’s winner of the  IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding  contributions to the San Jose community during the 2015-16 season.

The  25-year-old from Oviedo, Florida hit the ground running in the clubs first  season in San Jose as he attended several community events and spearheaded  several community initiatives for the Barracuda this season.

The  second year forward taught several Barracuda Math Classes throughout the Bay  Area and instructed San Jose Jr. Sharks on-ice practices. Ryan played a major  role in the inaugural “Gifts and Goals” toy drive. He and his teammates  purchased toys the donated them to children at School Health Clinics of Santa  Clara County. Due to Ryan’s leadership, there was 100% player participation and  with his help, the Barracuda donated more than $2,500 worth of toys. All of the  recipients and their families were invited to SAP Center to receive the gifts  following the Barracuda’s December 20th game.

However,  Ryan’s most important community initiative this season was befriending the San  Jose Barracuda’s “first fan”, Marlon Stewart. Marlon suffers from a rare  genetic disease called Saethre-Chotzen syndrome which affects his bone  structure. At just 12-years old, Marlon has been through more adversity than  most people experience in a lifetime. After a game in October, right before one  of his surgeries and knowing he would miss Halloween; Ryan invited Marlon down  to the locker room and surprised him with Halloween candy and other goodies.  Ryan also invited Marlon to come to a Barracuda practice when he was feeling  better. After Marlon’s surgery, Ryan went to Marlon’s house to visit him while  he was recovering and invited him back to more Barracuda games. Last month,  Marlon was finally able to come to a Barracuda practice which he watched from  the bench. Following practice, Ryan brought him around the locker room and  introduced him to the team. The afternoon was capped off by lunch with Ryan and  the rest of Marlon’s family.

Ryan  has been involved in a number of Barracuda events, but it’s what he does when  nobody is watching that makes him stand out above the rest of the field.  Throughout the week, and often on his off days, Ryan takes time out of his day  to visit a special needs class at a local elementary school. At the school Ryan  reads to the children, teaches them math and all about the game of hockey. Some  of those students came to a Barracuda game to meet with Coach Roy Sommer and  his son Marley. When Ryan found out about the postgame meet and greet, he made  sure that he stopped by the room to take pictures and sign autographs for the  100+ people in attendance. Earlier this month, Ryan went back to the elementary  school to play street hockey with the same special needs students and their  classmates.

Another  one of Ryan’s many charitable endeavors, and the one he is most passionate  about, is the time he spends with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at  San Jose State University. Ryan spends a few days each week attending various  FCA functions, not including the days and times he meets up with the athletes  at SJSU individually. During these interactions, Ryan shares his journey with  the athletes and how God has played such an important role in his life.  Separately, Ryan is also involved in FCA Hockey where he participates in two  conference calls each week with other professional and collegiate hockey  players. This season, the San Jose Barracuda have held two Faith and Family  Nights where following the game; Ryan spoke to the group about how his faith  and the game of hockey have gone hand-in-hand.

Carpenter  is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL’s 2015-16 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award,  honoring the overall IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year. The league  award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died  in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The winner of the Yanick  Dupre Memorial Award will be announced by the American Hockey League at a later  date.

For  more information regarding the San Jose Barracuda community initiatives please  visit www.SJBarracuda.com.