Toronto -- The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Belleville Bulls forward Andrew Gibbons is the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy winner as the OHL's Humanitarian of the Year for the 2006-07 season.
Gibbons, a 20-year-old native of Oshawa, Ontario established himself as a goodwill ambassador in the City of Belleville and throughout surrounding communities. As a fourth year veteran player, Andrew was called upon to visit several public schools while assisting with many charitable fundraising initiatives as a representative of the OHL and the Belleville Bulls.
In particular, Andrew spent a great deal of time with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. Gibbons visited his Little Brother Jesse, a grade six student, each week at school to help him with his homework while spending time getting to know him. "Andrew has played an exceedingly positive role in this student's life and I don't think words can express how thrilling it is for Jesse to see Andrew each week," commented Principal Marg Thompson.
Andrew worked in the community assisting with the Lung Association's "Bowling with the Bulls" fundraiser, which rose over $5,000. Gibbons also worked with the Make a Wish Foundation and was a guest speaker at a number of public schools. This past off-season, Andrew logged 120 hours as a group leader at the Belleville Bulls hockey schools.
On the ice, Gibbons recorded 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points in 55 games during the regular season while taking on a leadership role as captain of the Belleville Bulls.
Each year the OHL awards a player that has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a positive role model in the community with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy. The Ontario Hockey League Board of Governors announced in 2003 that the OHL Humanitarian of the Year award would be renamed in recognition of the former Owen Sound Platers captain, who was twice named his team's humanitarian of the year in recognition of his tremendous efforts in supporting community activities.
