COMETS NOMINATE JOE GAMBARDELLA FOR THE 2023-24 IOA/AMERICAN SPECIALTY AHL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Apr 11, 2024Utica, NY – The Utica Comets are proud to announce that Joe Gambardella has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the city/community during the 2023-24 season.
A member of the Comets organization for four seasons, Gambardella exemplifies professionalism on and off the ice. The Staten Island, New York native gives everything he has on the ice every game and he’s also front and center during the team’s numerous community activities. Joe is always one of the last players to leave the arena after a home game making sure to sign each fan’s autograph request and he never leaves without taking a picture with those who ask. Three seasons ago, Joe created a hockey camp that takes place in Utica where he and other players teach kids the game of hockey along with video sessions off the ice combined with nutritional information to help young players become better athletes.
This season, Joe led the charge for the Comets young fan Gavin Jerzak. Gavin continues to battle cancer and has been in and out of Boston’s Children’s Hospital. On an off day, this season, Joe drove to Boston dressed as Gavin’s favorite cartoon character and surprised Gavin in his hospital room bringing with him Christmas gifts on behalf of the team. Joe wanted to bring joy to Gavin’s life and succeeded greatly. It was an act that is a window into the character of Gambardella.
Joe Gambardella is now one of 32 finalists for the AHL’s 2023-24 Yanick Dupré 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 Dupré Memorial Award will be announced by the American Hockey League later this month.