Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Former Chicago Attorney Sentenced to Two and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Tax Fraud and Witness Tampering Crime
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar with Chicago region veterans. No one supports veterans more than Aguilar
    Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar honors veterans at first of monthly VetConnect Workshops at district office Cook County
  • Coffee & Conversation for the public on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, featuring two speakers who will address individual fatigue and how to empower your personal health and activism.
    Orland Fire hosts Coffee & Conversation on individual fatigue and personal health Events
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Man Sentenced to a Year and a Half in Federal Prison for Covid-Relief Fraud Crime
  • Photo submitted by Jeffery M. Leving and Associates
    Leving team protected dad’s daughter from danger and restored his peace of mind Chicago
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays Blogger
  • Muslim prayer tent, O'Hare Airport Uber/Lyft Staging Area
    O’Hare Officials say they will pursue “more permanent solutions” for Muslim prayer Tent Chicago
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Gives Update on His Work to Support Victims of July Floods in Cook County’s 16th District Cook County
  • Adel and Omar Nofal Eagle scouts, the 224th and 225th Eagle Scouts in Troop 318’s 87-year history
    Twin Brothers from Orland Park’s Troop 318 Achieve Scouting’s Highest Honor: Eagle Scout Government
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago Creates New Section to Prosecute Criminal Healthcare Fraud Violations Business
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds  Cook County
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad reunited with grieving children after tragic death of mother Dads' Rights
  • Arthur Kallow CLE August 20 2025
    Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar to Address Complex Litigation Motions and Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule Arthur Kallow
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Village of Orland Park Receives Clean Audit Opinion for Fiscal Year 2024 Government
  • US Congressman Mike Quigley, who represents the 5th Congressional District in Illinois and serves as the Congressional Ukraine Caucus.
    Congressmen slam President Trump’s meeting on Ukraine with accused war criminal Putin breaking news
Chicago Wolves Trainer Kevin Kacer receives Dupre Award June 14, 2021

Chicago Wolves’ Kevin Kacer shares AHL’s Dupre Award

Posted on June 14, 2021June 14, 2021 By Ray Hanania
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Chicago Wolves’ Kevin Kacer shares AHL’s Dupre Award

Chicago’s head trainer honored for yeoman’s work during 2021 season

The American Hockey League announced Monday that, in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic, the head athletic trainers from all 31 teams have been selected as the winners of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award for 2020-21.

The list features the Chicago Wolves’ Kevin Kacer, who has served as the team’s head athletic trainer since 1995. Kacer has worked more than 2,000 games as a trainer in professional hockey and been an important part of all four of the Wolves’ league championship teams.

“Kevin Kacer worked relentlessly to make sure the Wolves were Covid-compliant and our players were safe,” said Wolves general manager Wendell Young. “All medical staff should be applauded because they’re very deserving of the award. They are the reason we had a season!”

Chicago Wolves Trainer Kevin Kacer receives Dupre Award June 14, 2021
Chicago Wolves Trainer Kevin Kacer receives Dupre Award June 14, 2021

Presented annually since 1998, the Yanick Dupre award traditionally acknowledges a player as the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year for his outstanding contributions to his local community; in 2020-21, the league is pleased to recognize the athletic training staffs from all 31 organizations.

In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities of looking after the general health of their players – including the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries – these athletic trainers and therapists took on the additional duties of testing, monitoring and administering the AHL’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, allowing the league to operate in a safe and effective manner during the pandemic.

The AHL also acknowledges the assistant athletic trainers, equipment managers and staffs, and team doctors and medical staffs whose tireless efforts contributed to a successful year.

This year’s winners of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award are:

Chad Drown, Bakersfield Condors
Craig Belfer, Belleville Senators
Jon Williams, Binghamton Devils
Josh Sabitsky, Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Alex Ambrose, Charlotte Checkers
Kevin Kacer, Chicago Wolves
Tom Bourdon, Cleveland Monsters
Brent Woodside, Colorado Eagles
Josh Chapman, Grand Rapids Griffins
Brian Fairbrother, Hartford Wolf Pack
Todd Richardson, Henderson Silver Knights
Brian Riedel, Hershey Bears
Masayasu Takaiwa and Cole Harding, Iowa Wild
Glen Kinney, Laval Rocket
Brian Grogesky, Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Zach Salmonson, Manitoba Moose
Doug Agnew, Milwaukee Admirals
Jeff Andrews, Ontario Reign
Dustin Stuck, Providence Bruins
Michael Dhesse, Rochester Americans
D.J. Jones, Rockford IceHogs
Ryan Ledwon, San Diego Gulls
Will Leonard, San Jose Barracuda
Koryd Lavimoniere, Springfield Thunderbirds
Bryan Erspamer, Stockton Heat
Brad Chavis, Syracuse Crunch
Mike DeGaetano, Texas Stars
Jordan Aube, Toronto Marlies
Bill Nervig, Tucson Roadrunners
Roman Kaszczij, Utica Comets
Seamus McKelvey, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

The AHL’s annual Man of the Year award is named after the late Yanick Dupre, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 24 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. A second-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1991, Dupre played four seasons in the AHL with the Hershey Bears and was an AHL All-Star in 1995.

Kevin Kacer, ATC, became the Wolves head athletic trainer in 1995 after being an assistant athletic trainer with the Detroit Pistons from 1993-95. Before that, he served as the head athletic trainer for the Continental Basketball Association’s Fort Wayne Fury (1991-93); the International Hockey League’s Fort Wayne Komets (1990-91); and the National Professional Soccer League’s Fort Wayne Flames (1988-90).

Kacer earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Indianapolis, where he served as the head student trainer from 1983-87. He gained experience as a volunteer trainer at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne from 1983-87 and at the 1986 Pan American Games in Indianapolis.

The 54-year-old is a member of the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society, National Athletic Trainers’ Association and American College of Sports Medicine.

Kacer and his wife, Jill, have a daughter, Madison, and two sons, Cameron and Nolan, and reside in the western suburbs.

The Wolves are returning to Allstate Arena for the 2021-22 season and already have secured five prime home dates. Wolves fans can purchase “The First Five” Mini-Plan right now to ensure their favorite seats for the games on Oct. 16, Nov. 7, Nov. 13, Jan. 8 and March 6. The first 500 people to purchase a Mini-Plan get to take a professional portrait inside the Wolves’ penalty box. To learn more, click here.

For more information on customized Wolves ticket plans for the 2021-22 season — everything from The First Five to Alpha Wolf season-ticket packages to tailor-made group outings — visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Former Chicago Attorney Sentenced to Two and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Tax Fraud and Witness Tampering - August 28, 2025
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar honors veterans at first of monthly VetConnect Workshops at district office - August 28, 2025
  • Orland Fire hosts Coffee & Conversation on individual fatigue and personal health - August 28, 2025
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Chicago, Cook County, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Chicago Wolves, coach, ice hockey, Kevin Kacer, professional hockey, trainer, Wolves Hockey Team, Yanick Dupre Memorial Award

Post navigation

Previous Post: Pritzker activates Emergency Operation Center, National Guard in response to massive chemical fire in Winnebago County
Next Post: Paddlers Reminded to be Safe on the Water This Summer

Related Posts

  • Former Cook County Commissioner and taxpayer advocate Liz Gorman
    Pekau is way off base in starting fight with Gorman Blogger
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Order of protection keeps mother’s reported abusive boyfriend away from dad’s children Chicago
  • Supervisor Paul O'Grady on stage with pet contest winners at the 8th annual Pet-Palooza in 2019.
    Orland Township raises the ‘Woof’ at Pet-Palooza 2021! Entertainment
  • The former Cork and Tap Bar, 1501 S. 51st Court, was consumed by an aggressive fire today, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.
    Cicero building severely damaged by fire, no one injured Fire
  • IAM Union Logo
    IAM Union Members at Arrow Gear Ratify Strong Contract After 9 Weeks on Strike Business
  • 04-01-25 Chris Getty election night
    Getty Celebrates Successful Re-Election and Local Victory Sweep elections

More Related Articles

Stevenson toll lanes a tough sell News
State Rep. Chris Welch Willis, Welch bill to make hospital closure tougher passes House Government
Rashid Porfirio Town Hall meeting April 19 2025 Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025 Events
District 230 School Board President Rick Nogal receiving the Outstanding School Board President. Photo courtesy of District 230 D230’s Rick Nogal named Illinois’ Outstanding School Board President Editors Pick
Daylight savings time promotion. A 2001 US public service advertisement reminded people to adjust clocks. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia State Fire Marshal Reminds Illinoisans to “Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries” Government
Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas Anderson, a native of Burbank, Illinois. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang Burbank native joins multinational exercise in Baltic Sea region News
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny
    July 25, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast on Trump’s problems with Jeffrey Epstein, Netanyahu’s coalition in jeopardy
    July 19, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN
    July 12, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • NEWS
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Former Chicago Attorney Sentenced to Two and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Tax Fraud and Witness Tampering
    August 28, 2025
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar with Chicago region veterans. No one supports veterans more than Aguilar
    Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar honors veterans at first of monthly VetConnect Workshops at district office
    August 28, 2025
  • Coffee & Conversation for the public on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, featuring two speakers who will address individual fatigue and how to empower your personal health and activism.
    Orland Fire hosts Coffee & Conversation on individual fatigue and personal health
    August 28, 2025
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Man Sentenced to a Year and a Half in Federal Prison for Covid-Relief Fraud
    August 28, 2025
  • Photo submitted by Jeffery M. Leving and Associates
    Leving team protected dad’s daughter from danger and restored his peace of mind
    August 28, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme