From the River Rats:

MATTHEW PISTILLI NAMED ALBANY RIVER RATS 2009-10 AMERICAN SPECIALTY/AHL MAN OF THE YEAR

ALBANY, NY—The Albany River Rats are proud to announce that Matthew Pistilli has been named the team’s winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man Of The Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Albany community during the 2009-10 season.

Pistilli was the first player this season to participate in the River Rats MVP Health Care "KidPower at School" assembly program, designed to teach school age children the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices and keeping active through sports. The Montreal, QC., native quickly took the health and fitness talk under his wing, volunteering at seven more schools throughout the season and developing his own unique presentation style to keep his audiences of 200-500 students attentive and involved.

In addition to his patented health talks, Pistilli further demonstrated his commitment to the Capital District community by accompanying "Rowdy" the Rat on several visits to the children’s ward at Albany Medical Center, by visiting the Ronald McDonald House of Albany, and by handing out presents during the Holidays to underprivileged youth at the St. Ann Institute in Albany.

In recognition of his efforts, Pistilli will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming River Rats home game.

Pistilli is now one of 29 finalists for the AHL’s 2009-10 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall 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 in the coming weeks.