Abbotsford, BC – The Abbotsford Heat are proud to announce that Carter Bancks has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the community of Abbotsford during the 2011-12 season.

Barb Roberts, Community Relations Manager for the Abbotsford Heat nominated Bancks for the award saying, “Carter exemplifies commitment to his community and fans. He has attended a variety of community appearances including a visit to Dasmesh Punjabi School where he spent the afternoon reading to the children and signed hundreds of autographs with a broken knuckle!” Roberts continued, “Carter has a natural ability to relate to children and he makes a lasting impression with each young fan. We consider ourselves extremely lucky that he is able to dedicate so much time to the community.”

Bancks is one of 30 finalists for the AHL’s 2011-12 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 in the coming weeks.

The Heat close out their six-game home stand on Tuesday and Wednesday by hosting the Rochester Americans.

Punjabi Night in Abbotsford is on Wednesday April 4th, where the Heat are excited to present the inaugural Vaisakhi Celebrations in Abbotsford where fans will enjoy Punjabi music, Bhangra, live performances and more.

Tuesday and Wednesday’s broadcasts both begin on Country 107.1 at 6:30 with the pre-game show followed by puck drop at 7:00. You can also catch Heat broadcasts on Country 107.1’s website, theAHL.com, and on the Rogers Radio App for your wireless device.