Kramer Named Moose IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year

Winnipeg, MB - The Manitoba Moose Hockey Club is proud to announce Darren Kramer has been named the team's winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Winnipeg community during the 2017-18 season.

Kramer spent time with numerous groups this season; ranging from law enforcement, to fans at a backyard rink and a retreat for children with autism.  An afternoon with the RCMP took Kramer and some fellow Moose into the countryside where the group was introduced to the potential of the detachment including explosive disposal and training exercises with the K-9 unit.  For the second straight season, Kramer enjoyed the opportunity to visit a homemade backyard rink for an evening with over 200 residents of the local community.  In support of the team's Autism Awareness Month, Kramer joined teammates for an afternoon at the St.Amant Spirit Cottage to participate in activities and spend time with children with autism and their families.

As the PHPA representative for the Moose, Kramer led the Grow with the Pros mentorship program, facilitating a practice with two local minor hockey teams from the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy (WJHA) and hosted a panel afterward to discuss topics such as bullying, respect and leadership.  The WJHA is an initiative of the True North Youth Foundation (TNYF) that provides opportunities for children to participate in hockey who would otherwise be restricted from doing so by financial barriers.  Kramer's support of the TNYF extended to a fundraising event where Kramer and teammate Patrice Cormier hosted a youth team for a special outdoor skate at Camp Manitou.

In addition to Kramer's individual and small group appearances, he also took part in all full team events, as well as post-game autograph sessions and meet-and-greets this season.  As a part of the team's Stick to Reading initiative, Kramer visited Meadows West School to read with students and answer their questions about being a professional hockey player.  At the Community Club practice, Kramer and his teammates took to the ice for a regular practice in front of fans before welcoming a minor hockey team onto the rink for a scrimmage.  During the holiday season the team visited Siloam Mission where the group prepared, cooked and served meals to over 500 patrons in Winnipeg's inner city.  Kramer and his teammates also spent an afternoon at Assiniboine Park Zoo, visiting with fans and promoting the importance of the Zoo's Polar Bear Rescue team.

Darren Kramer is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL's 2017-18 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honouring 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.