GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The Grand Rapids Griffins are proud to announce that goaltender Joey MacDonald has been named the teams winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the West Michigan community during the 2004-05 season.

MacDonald, despite playing in a remarkable 63 of 73 games to date, has been one of the most active players in the Griffins community relations efforts. The 2005 AHL All-Star made appearances at all team functions, including The Great Skate, Tip-a-Griffin and Max & Erma's Get Fed by the Griffins, while also attending all Booster Club-sponsored events.

MacDonald enjoyed giving back to the youth hockey community and was active in attending local practices through the team's Growing with the Griffins campaign. Like many of his teammates, he graciously gave of his time to speak at schools and visit patients at local hospitals. MacDonald also plans on making a donation to assist Chemical Bank and its sponsorship of the "Saver of the Game" program. Chemical Bank donates $5 for every save made at home games by Griffins goaltenders, with the money to be split between Steepletown Neighborhood Services and Eastown Jubilee Housing.

In recognition of his efforts, MacDonald will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming Griffins home game.

MacDonald is now one of 28 finalists for the 2004-05 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall 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.