JAIME SIFERS NAMED UTICA COMETS’ 2018-19 IOA/AMERICAN SPECIALTY AHL MAN OF THE YEAR
Apr 3, 2019Utica, N.Y. - The Utica Comets are proud to announce that Jaime Sifers has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Utica community during the 2018-19 season.
There are many causes close to his heart, but the most notable is his passion for the military and its veterans. The son of a Marine, Jaime is leaned upon to be an ambassador for our organization with the many military programs and facilities in our area. After each and every home game, he takes the time for a meet and greet with that night’s hometown hero, and his/her family.
During the summer, Jaime attended weekly office meetings with area Purple Heart recipients, and he became a critical component of the Comets becoming the first-ever hockey team to be designated as a Purple Heart Organization. He was with us every step of the way, and his participation was integral in the preparation and execution of the honor.
“When you’re around Jaime, you’re exposed to moments that are truly profound,” said Comets broadcaster Joe Roberts. “Often times they are simple gestures that create special moments and lifetime memories for others.
While in Allentown playing Lehigh Valley, the Phantoms rolled out a carpet from the corner doors to recognize that night’s hometown hero during a media timeout. The crowd cheered and gave a rightful standing ovation, and one player skated over, took off his glove, and shook the hero’s hand. It was Jaime Sifers. It may not seem like a big deal, but in that moment, I realized that Jaime is more of a fan of these veterans than they could ever be of him as a pro hockey player.”
Sifers is now one of 31 finalists for the AHL’s 2018-19 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 at a later date.
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