Ford named Condors AHL Man of the Year

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CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors are proud to announce that RW Matthew Ford has been named the Condors’ winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Condorstown community during the 2015-16 season.

FORD – a leader in the community

  • One of the leaders of the “Condors Comrades” program which pairs Condors players with athletes from the Special Olympics of Kern County through various events including a pizza party, bowling, and jersey fundraiser throughout the year
  • Organized regular visits to the pediatric wing of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital for himself and teammates to spend time with children in need
  • Ford and teammates play games with the kids, colors, and spends time learning about their lives all while putting a smile on their faces
  • Driving force behind “Cookin’ with the Condors,” a cookbook now on sale at home games featuring team recipes with proceeds benefiting the Condors Community Foundation and Condors Comrades partnership with the Special Olympics of Kern County
  • Assisted the Salvation Army’s bell-ringing efforts during the Christmas season, helping raise money for the less fortunate
  • One of the top “tip getters” as a waiter during the team’s annual Tip-A-Condor which benefited the Kern County Shrine Club for children
  • Second “Man of the Year” honor for Ford, who was named the Oklahoma City Barons’ Man of the Year in 2014-15
Ford is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL’s 2015-16 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 at a later date.
Team Cards and Bobbleheads and Alumni Tournament – THIS WEEKEND!

The Condors return home this weekend for two big promotions. Friday, Apr. 1 against San Jose is Team Card Set Giveaway, sponsored by My 45 KiX 92.1 and Rabobank. The first 2,000 fans 5 and older get a set of cards from the team’s inaugural AHL campaign.

Saturday, Apr. 2 the Condors host Ontario for Bobblehead Giveaway Night. The first 2,000 fans 5 and older get a bobblehead of All-Star goalie Laurent Brossoit, sponsored by Eyewitness News, 1560 AM & 97.7 FM KNZR and American Business Machines. Join us before the game for a Condors Alumni 3-on-3 tournament starting at 4:45. It’s a part of the annual Condors Fighting Cancer Hockey-Thon. Contact the Condors for more information at 324-PUCK (7825).