BRENDAN GAUNCE SELECTED AS WINNER OF IOA/AMERICAN SPECIALTY AHL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Apr 15, 2025SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The American Hockey League announced today the individual team winners of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year awards, selected by their respective clubs for their outstanding contributions to the local community and charitable organizations during the 2024-25 season.
The Iowa Wild are proud to announce that Brendan Gaunce has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Des Moines community during the 2024-25 season.
After arriving at Iowa Wild training camp, Gaunce contacted the team’s front office and shared his desire to continue his Points for Paws program, an initiative he started as member of the Cleveland Monsters. Over the previous two seasons, Gaunce had donated $100 for every point recorded to a local animal shelter.
Gaunce, his wife Heidi, and the Wild teamed up with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal shelter, to raise awareness and money throughout the 2024-25 season. In addition to continuing the $100 per point donation, Gaunce partnered with the team's game presentation and social media leads to highlight adoptable pets of the game, promote volunteer opportunities, and share the Animal Rescue League of Iowa’s mission.
The Gaunces spent several afternoons volunteering at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa on their own time and spearheaded dog walking volunteer hours for teammates.
“To have someone from the Iowa Wild who wants to get involved in our organization and what we do is really, truly special and makes such an impact on the animals we have in our care,” said Kenzie Miller, Event Manager at Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
Gaunce also exhibited leadership throughout the season by rallying teammates to attend and participate in the team’s other charitable initiatives, including hospital visits and the team’s annual holiday shopping event for local children in need.
“We have amazing lives and it’s all because of hockey,” said Gaunce. “For us to be able to give back to the cities that we’re living in is pretty special.”
From this list of finalists, representatives from IOA/American Specialty and the AHL will choose the winner of the 2024-25 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award. The AHL’s annual Man of the Year award is named after the late Yanick Dupré, who died in 1997 at the age of 24 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. Dupré, an AHL All-Star in 1995, played four seasons with the Hershey Bears and also skated in 35 National Hockey League games with the Philadelphia Flyers.
This year’s winners of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year awards are:
Chase Wouters, Abbotsford Canucks (3rd career selection)
James Hamblin, Bakersfield Condors (1st)
Donovan Sebrango, Belleville Senators (1st)
Aidan Fulp, Bridgeport Islanders (1st)
Lucas Ciona, Calgary Wranglers (1st)
Ben Steeves, Charlotte Checkers (1st)
Dominic Franco, Chicago Wolves (3rd)
Cole Clayton, Cleveland Monsters (1st)
Ty Nelson, Coachella Valley Firebirds (1st)
Jayson Megna, Colorado Eagles (1st)
Josiah Didier, Grand Rapids Griffins (3rd)
Nathan Sucese, Hartford Wolf Pack (1st)
Mason Geertsen, Henderson Silver Knights (3rd)
Jake Massie, Hershey Bears (2nd)
Brendan Gaunce, Iowa Wild (2nd)
Lucas Condotta, Laval Rocket (3rd)
Hunter McDonald, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (1st)
Tyrel Bauer, Manitoba Moose (1st)
Kyle Marino, Milwaukee Admirals (1st)
Luke Rowe, Ontario Reign (1st)
Vinni Lettieri, Providence Bruins (1st)
Zachary Metsa, Rochester Americans (2nd)
Drew Commesso, Rockford IceHogs (1st)
Travis Howe, San Diego Gulls (2nd)
Jake Furlong, San Jose Barracuda (1st)
Drew Callin, Springfield Thunderbirds (2nd)
Max Crozier, Syracuse Crunch (1st)
Curtis McKenzie, Texas Stars (3rd)
Logan Shaw, Toronto Marlies (1st)
Curtis Douglas, Tucson Roadrunners (1st)
Colton White, Utica Comets (1st)
Sam Poulin, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (1st)
The winner of the 2024-25 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award will be announced in the coming weeks.
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