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 2014-15 season.
This season, McCollum helped found the TLC Club (Tommy and Lando Care Club), which provides Griffins season tickets to the Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids in order to help spread the fervor for hockey throughout West Michigan. On his own accord, he also conducted a free one-hour clinic in February for more than a dozen 4th-to-12th grade goalies from the Griffins Youth Foundation, with help from teammate Jared Coreau. After the on-ice session, they held a 30-minute Q&A with the goalies and their parents. McCollum is just the second two-time IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year nominee in the Griffins’ 19 seasons, joining current Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard.
A native of Cambria, N.Y., McCollum has been tireless in community involvement throughout his six seasons with the team, embodying the core values of both the Griffins and the city of Grand Rapids. McCollum has been a pillar of service 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 Great Skate Winterfest to raise funds for the Griffins Youth Foundation, partaking in the annual sled hockey game with the Grand Rapids Sled Wings and serving beverages at Corks, Pucks and Brews for Easter Seals Michigan, among many other volunteer opportunities.
The 25-year-old goaltender has always been proactive in using his station in life for the betterment of the younger generation, impacting the lives of children at hockey practices, hospitals and elementary schools. 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, including a personal Twitterview to answer fan questions, and participate in regular 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 19 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.”
