ALEX TUCH NAMED WILD IOA/AMERICAN SPECIALTY AHL MAN OF THE YEAR

Mar 30, 2017

Rookie Forward Honored for Community Contributions

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Wild is proud to announce that Alex Tuch has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Des Moines community during the 2016-17 season.

Iowa Wild rookie Alex Tuch thoroughly embraced the Des Moines community during his first season in central Iowa. The former first-round pick of Minnesota took part in numerous fundraising events for local charities in the greater Des Moines area.

In the first month of the season, Tuch jumped out onto the ice with teammate Gustav Olofsson in Ames, Iowa – surprising a youth hockey practice of eight and nine-year olds. Tuch participated and helped the team run drills, helping expand the skill sets of the young skaters. He continued his charitable work in early December, partnering with the Salvation Army and participating in bell ringing to help raise local funds close to the holidays.  Also in December, Tuch was a feature attraction for the team’s Hockey and Heels event – designed to promote the game of hockey to women in central Iowa.

For his charitable work in Des Moines throughout the month of December, Tuch was honored as the Hupy and Abraham Community Player of the Month. 

In mid-January, Tuch was named to the Western Conference All-Star team. He became the first-ever Wild forward to skate in the mid-season classic.  Tuch helped lead the Central division to a three-on-three tournament victory at the AHL All-Star Classic in Allentown, PA.

After the All Star game, Tuch picked up where he left off in his community work, helping with Iowa’s Local Heroes night in February. Tuch, along with his teammates, made visits to both the Des Moines Police Department and the Urbandale Police Department. In addition, Tuch filmed a ride along in a SWAT vehicle for the game night promotion, which helped raise funds for fallen officers in the greater Des Moines area.  The following night, Tuch’s jersey was auctioned for over $2,000, helping the team generate nearly $45,000 for Susan G. Komen of Central Iowa as part of the club’s Pink in the Rink Night. Prior to the end of the month, Tuch put on an apron and showed off his serving skills in the team’s 801 Chophouse Celebrity Server event. Tuch and his teammates helped raise over $5,000 for Tame The Hunger in Des Moines.

In March, Tuch jumped into a few more events, starting with the team’s strong showing at St. Baldrick’s in early March.  Tuch allowed fans to dye his beard Iowa Wild colors, prior to having it shaved off for charity.  He also accepted donations from fans that wanted their head shaved. The event generated close to $100,000.

To close out March, Tuch and his teammates helped Tame the Hunger, by packing meals for those that are not as fortunate.

Tuch is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL’s 2016-17 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.

Iowa welcomes the Chicago Wolves on Friday, March 31 at 7 PM. The Race Car night is presented by NAPA Auto Parts and Freedom Tires. The first 1,500 fans to arrive at the game receive a family car decal presented by Star 102.5. It is also $2 beer night presented by 100.3 The BUS. Collegeville packs are available for purchase at the game, sponsored by KISS FM and Buffalo Wild Wings. The St. Patrick’s Day themed specialty jerseys, worn by the Iowa Wild for all three home games in March, are auctioned off at the live postgame jersey auction on Friday, Mar. 31.

Iowa takes on the Cleveland Monsters at Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday, April 2 at 5 PM. It is Superhero night. The first 1500 kids 12 and under to arrive at the game receive youth Superman jerseys sponsored by Leafguard and Nash FM. The team is hosting a book drive at the game. There is a postgame skate at the conclusion of the game. Skates can be rented for $2 and proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. Kids skates are also available. Subway combo packs are available for purchase at the game.

2016-17 Iowa Wild regular season single-game tickets are on sale now. Follow the Iowa Wild on Twitter @IAWILD or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iawild.

The Iowa Wild 2016-17 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center: and runs from October through April. Fans may purchase seats to see any of the team’s 38 regular season home games at Wells Fargo Arena. Season tickets to see the Wild play its 2016-17 season at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $10 per game. For more information on tickets, including ticket plans and group seating, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com.  

Fans may purchase single-game tickets multiple ways, either through the team's website – www.Iowawild.com, the Wells Fargo Arena box office or participating Hy-Vee food stores. Tickets are available online at www.Iowawild.com under the single game tickets tab. The Wells Fargo Arena box office is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday. For Saturday game days, the box office will open at 10 a.m. For Sunday game days the box office will open at 12 p.m. Fans may also purchase tickets by calling 1-844-55-HYVEE or by visiting participating Hy-Vee food stores locations in the greater Des Moines area. Those interested may also visit www.hy-veetix.com. Fans interested in buying full-season tickets, or smaller season packages may call the Iowa Wild front office at 515-564-8700.

-- IOWA WILD --

 

·       BECOME AN IOWA WILD SEASON TICKET HOLDER

For more info on season ticket packages call 515-564-8700 or email Nate Berglund at nathan.berglund@iowawild.com

·       IOWA WILD IN THE COMMUNITY

To schedule a Wild appearance, contact Emily Hintz, Community Relations Coordinator, at 515-564-8731 or email Emily.Hintz@iowawild.com

 

·       IOWA WILD CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS

To create a customized advertising package for your company contact Brian Mather, VP of Sales, at 515-564-8720 or email at brian.mather@iowawild.com.

 

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