Chicago Wolves

Chicago Wolves defenseman BRIAN SIPOTZ has been named the team’s Dan Snyder Man of the Year in recognition of his commitment to service to the Chicagoland community.
The honor is given to a Wolves player each year in memory of Snyder, who passed away on Oct. 5, 2003, after suffering major head injuries in a car accident.  Snyder spent two seasons with the Wolves (2001-2003) and helped the team earn the 2002 Calder Cup Championship.

The Wolves and Snyder family will present SIPOTZ with the award before the team battles the Iowa Stars at the Allstate Arena on Sat., April 14, at 7 p.m.

“Brian exemplifies all the characteristics that Dan had and that this award is about,” said Wolves Executive Director of Operations Courtney Mahoney.  “He is an extremely genuine person and is a man of tremendous character both on and off the ice.  This award is particularly meaningful for this organization because of the impression Dan made during his time here and it is a privilege to award it to someone who truly embodies the spirit it represents.”

SIPOTZ served as the player spokesman for the Wolves’ Adopt-A-Dog Program this year, aptly titled “Brian’s Barking Buddies,” which works in conjunction with the City of Chicago’s Animal Care and Control Center and Urban Out Sitters to encourage fans to adopt homeless dogs at select Wolves home games.  With his help, more than 600 dogs have found homes through the program.

The South Bend, Ind., native, also joined in the Wolves most successful education program, “Read to Succeed,” sponsored by Fisher Nuts and College Illinois!, which has reached 400,000 children and more than 100 libraries throughout the Chicago area in 11 years.  He has visited more than 25 libraries over the past three years to speak about the role that education plays in his life as a professional athlete and to encourage children to spend more time in libraries, to read recreationally and to understand the importance of education.

Throughout the season, SIPOTZ made monthly visits to the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago and was an integral part of the Wolves “Hockey for Her” and “Get Fed By The Wolves” fundraisers, which raised money for charities associated Snyder and other various Chicago-area causes.

SIPOTZ is also a finalist for the American Hockey League’s 2006-07 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the league’s Man of the Year.  He has a chance to become the fifth Wolves player to earn the league-wide honor when the AHL announces the winner on Tue., April 10.