WORCESTER - The Worcester Sharks are proud to announce that forward Riley Armstrong has been named the team’s winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Worcester community during the 2006-07 season.

The Worcester Sharks are dedicated to meeting the educational, social and cultural needs of the Worcester community. The Sharks proudly partner with local organizations, in a variety of ways, in an effort to enhance the lives of residents throughout Central Massachusetts, with a focus on youth. Riley Armstrong has epitomized these characteristics and has played an integral role in establishing the Sharks as a community leader. Under the direction of Mary DeFeudis, Chairwoman, Sharks Charities will continue to make a strong commitment to the Worcester Community utilizing players such as Armstrong.

Armstrong, a third year pro from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has been the player representative for various events such as hospital appearances, parades, youth hockey practice appearances, Skate with the Sharks, Sharks Street Brigades, and visited local elementary schools for the Sharks “Reading is Cool” program.

In addition to over 20 appearances throughout the community he has made this season, Riley has also been writing a blog on Sharksahl.com since December called Riley’s Ramblings. His blog adds a sense of personalization from the Sharks players to Worcester fans. The blog talks about the team and their efforts on the ice, their interests off the ice and various things Riley does on his own time away from the DCU Center.

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

Armstrong is now one of 27 finalists for the AHL’s 2006-07 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. The winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be announced later this month.