Rangers’ Fanelli is Humanitarian of Year

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that defenceman Ben Fanelli of the Kitchener Rangers is the 2012-13 recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Humanitarian of the Year.

Fanelli, a 20-year-old from Oakville, ON, becomes the first member of the Rangers’ organization to earn the league award through his tireless efforts in raising funds and awareness for head injuries through the initiative he created in March, 2011, called Head Strong: Fanelli 4 Brain Injury Awareness, which has contributed over $18,000 to the Brain Injury Association of Canada and other beneficiaries

"It is an honour to receive an award that shows the importance of putting in the effort not only on the ice and at the rink, but in our community,” Fanelli said.  “Players all around the OHL are doing great humanitarian work, and I am proud to be recognized as one of them."

A three-time nominee for this award, Fanelli suffered a serious head injury in his rookie season that nearly ended his career.  During his recovery he remained an active member of the Rangers organization and community initiatives despite missing the majority of 2009-10 and the entire 2010-11 season.  His own recovery complete, Fanelli remains dedicated to Head Strong and sharing his personal experiences through the launch of an online blog this season called ‘Keeping Head Strong’ where he connects with fans to address issues such as overcoming challenges and teamwork.  Fanelli continues to be a source of inspiration to the club, fans in the community, and the many affected by head injuries across Canada.

“Ben Fanelli has long been a strong ambassador of our hockey club and its values, and we are proud to see him recognized for his contributions not only on the ice but also in our community,” said Rangers Head Coach and General Manager Steve Spott.  “We feel he embodies all of the qualities this award celebrates and we are pleased to congratulate him on being named the OHL Humanitarian of the Year.”

 On the ice, the Rangers’ alternate captain collected three goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 64 games played.  He received three team awards at the Rangers’ year-end banquet including Most Valuable Player (shared with Matt Puempel), Most Popular Player, and was recognized by his peers with the Jim McGeachie Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Team Effort.  Off the ice, Fanelli, the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for February, is pursuing a degree in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University.

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 2004 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.

 Previous recipients include Chris Terry and Ryan Hayes who represented the Plymouth Whalers with back-to-back awards in 2009 and 2010 respectively, before Jack Walchessen and repeat nominee Andrew D’Agostini of the Peterborough Petes won in 2011 and 2012.

Fanelli will be the OHL’s nominee for Humanitarian of the Year at the annual CHL Awards on May 25 and will be formally presented with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony which takes place June 4 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

2012-13 Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Nominees:

Barrie – Alex Lepkowski

Belleville – Scott Simmonds

Brampton – Cameron Wind

Erie – Dane Fox

Guelph – Ryan Horvat

Kingston – Darcy Greenaway

Kitchener – Ben Fanelli**

London – Scott Harrington*

Mississauga – Dylan Smoskowitz**

Niagara – Shayne Rover

Oshawa – Brian Hughes

Ottawa – Taylor Fielding

Owen Sound – Daniel Zweep

Peterborough – Andrew D’Agostini*

Plymouth – Michael Whaley

Saginaw – Grant Webermin

Sarnia – Craig Duininck

Sault Ste. Marie – Ryan Sproul

Sudbury – Nathan Cull

Windsor – Ty Bilcke

*repeat nominee

** three-time nominee

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)