CINCINNATI, Ohio – The 2010 Kelly Cup Champion Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that veteran forward Dustin Sproat has been honored with the inaugural ECHL Community Service Award.

Each ECHL team was given the opportunity to nominate one player for their efforts in the community and toward charitable causes during the 2010-11 season.  The winners were voted on by members of the ECHL league office.

The Cyclones were proud to nominate Sproat, who is the driving force behind the non-profit organization Hockey Players for Kids (HP4K).  HP4K’s mission is to harness the leadership, enthusiasm and public goodwill of the most exceptional people playing professional hockey in communities throughout North America, and use it to positively impact the lives of local children. HP4K also acts as a forum to foster the personal growth and development of its members.  Currently, there are nearly 50 professional hockey players around the country and around the world who are official members of HP4K, including 19 active ECHL players.  Sproat will share this year’s accolade with Elmira Jackals’ defenseman and HP4K member Chris Frank.

“Dustin is the epitome of this award,” said Cyclones Head Coach Jarrod Skalde.  “In addition to being a tremendous leader in our locker room, he sacrifices his limited free time to make a positive impact in our community.  I’m so proud to have an individual like that representing our team and our sport.”

This year, Dustin and his fellow Cyclones players volunteered their time at local YMCA, Boys and Girls Club after-school programs, the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and the Ronald McDonald House.  In addition, he orchestrated HP4K’s “Stick to Reading” program – an incentive-based reading competition for elementary and middle school students.  The program offers a quick, easy, fun and effective way to get pro hockey players involved with kids in their communities.

“Dustin is a star on and off the ice,” said Cyclones Vice President and General Manager Kristin Ropp.  “He is able to use the minimal personal time he has to make a difference in the lives of Cincinnati’s children.  We are extremely proud of his efforts and certainly boastful that he is a Cyclone.”

The Cyclones, and their fans, will recognize Sproat in a pre-game ceremony before tonight’s regular season finale against Kalamazoo at U.S. Bank Arena.  The puck drops at 7:30pm.

The defending Kelly Cup Champions will return to U.S. Bank Arena TONIGHT for City Barbeque Fan Appreciation Night.  The final game of the regular season will feature $1 John Morrell Hotdogs, $1 Donatos Pizza, $1 Soda, $1 Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, and $.50 Popcorn.  2011-12 season tickets are on sale NOW!  For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.


Click here for Dustin Sproat’s career statistics.