Chicago Wolves defenseman Brent Regner will receive the 2015 Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award prior to Sunday’s game against Iowa at Allstate Arena. The award honors the Wolves player who best exemplifies Breslin’s on-ice spirit, team-first attitude, and community involvement. The Wolves captain becomes the first player to earn the honor twice.
Breslin, one of the first three players signed by the Wolves after the franchise was formed in 1994, passed away on Feb. 9, 2005, due to complications from appendiceal cancer. The Addison, Ill. native and Driscoll Catholic High School graduate played five seasons for the Wolves and earned a ring as a member of the 1998 Turner Cup Championship squad. Breslin’s family, including his widow, Jami, and their children, Shane, Paige, and Chase, will attend the on-ice ceremony for REGNER.
“Brent has a quiet demeanor, but he comes to play every day,” said Wolves head coach JOHN ANDERSON, who coached Breslin for two seasons. “He leads by example. He’s relentless. He never takes a day off.”
REGNER repeated as the Breslin Award winner once fans cast their votes on ChicagoWolves.com for the three candidates nominated by the Wolves coaching staff: REGNER, center Pat Cannone, and defenseman Mathieu Brodeur. Bill Sweatt (2013), Mark Matheson (2012), Jaime Sifers (2011), Matt Anderson (2010), Steve Martins (2009), Brian Sipotz (2008), Brian Fahey (2007), Kevin Doell (2006) and Tim Wedderburn (2005) also have earned this honor.
“It’s a great award and a special award here,” REGNER said. “I couldn’t have been more honored when they told me I won it again. To be mentioned alongside Tim Breslin is something special.”
With six games remaining in the regular season, the 25-year-old Westlock, Alberta, native leads the Wolves with a +21 plus-minus rating (good for 13th in the American Hockey League) while pacing the team’s defensemen in assists (22), and points (28). Three of his six goals have been game-winners, which includes two overtime tallies.
Sunday’s pregame ceremony also includes North Boone High School senior Emily Foster, the winner of the Tim Breslin Memorial scholarship. The Poplar Grove, Ill. resident has persevered and achieved greatly during her high school years while overcoming a hardship, which is the focus of the Breslin scholarship. Foster is a National Honor Society member who has served in student government and played on the varsity volleyball team. She will receive a $7,500 grant toward her college education.
