Biega Named Comets Man of the Year
by Mark Caswell, Jr.
Apr 2, 2015The Utica Comets are proud to announce that Alex Biega has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Team City community during the 2014-15 season.
Biega has gone above and beyond in his work with the Utica community this season. He attended a number of team appearances at schools, hospitals and businesses but also organized functions on his own time. Like many of his teammates, he has also spoken to students on a multitude of topics including anti-bullying, leadership and has even taught French to high school students.
After a visit to Kernan Elementary School in Utica to speak to grades 3-6, Alex maintained his relationship with the sixth grade teacher and closely mentored four students throughout the season. As a Harvard graduate, Biega is a strong voice for speaking to children on the importance of an education, even for professional athletes. Along with his wife, Diana, Alex has spearheaded a number of efforts with his teammates in order to help raise money for various causes and has worked closely with the Save of the Day Foundation and many of their events.
Alex Biega is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL’s 2014-15 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 later this month.