GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins are proud to announce that Tom McCollum has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Grand Rapids community during the 2013-14 season.

A native of Sanborn, N.Y., McCollum has been a pillar of service in the community throughout his five seasons with the Griffins, embodying the core values of both the organization and the city of Grand Rapids. McCollum has appeared in every major charitable event this season, including walking dogs at the Pups and Pucks Fall Walk-a-Thon for Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary, interacting with fans at the Tip-a-Griffin fundraiser and Great Skate Winterfest for the Griffins Youth Foundation and serving beverages at Corks, Pucks and Brews for Easter Seals Michigan, among other volunteer opportunities.

The 24-year-old goaltender has always been willing to use his station in life for the betterment of the younger generation, bringing a smile to the faces of children at hockey practices, elementary schools and children’s hospitals. In an effort to connect with fans, McCollum also actively sought out opportunities to sign post-game autographs, interact on the Griffins’ social media outlets and participate in fan meet and greets.

“Tom McCollum is as good an ambassador of the Grand Rapids Griffins and the sport of hockey as anyone we’ve had in our 18 years of existence,” said Bob Kaser, Griffins vice president of community relations and broadcasting. “He, like most hockey players, completely embraces community involvement and recognizes the difference he can make in people’s lives, and I’m here to tell you that he is a hero to many in West Michigan.”

McCollum is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL’s 2013-14 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 later this month.