Friday, April 17, 2009
BOARDMAN — Johnny Meo of the Mahoning Valley Phantoms was named recipient of the North American Hockey League’s Community Service Award.
In his third year with the Phantoms, Meo, of Vernon Hills, Ill., has been actively involved in a number of community service initiatives, including the Phantoms’ “Hockey for Health” program and “Read with the Phantoms.”
He is the team captain and is the Phantoms’ third all-time leading scorer with 110 points.
“It’s a tremendous honor to receive the Community Service Award,” said Meo, who holds the all-time games played record for the Phantoms (196), “and I have to give thanks to Coaches [Bob] Mainhardt, [Curtis] Carr and [Rocky] Russo, [team president] Mr. [Bruce] Zoldan and the entire Phantoms organization. Our whole team takes community service very seriously and it means quite a bit to be recognized by the league for our efforts.”
He is instructor for “Little Phantoms Learn to Play Hockey” and has participated in special needs on-ice groups, the United Way Day of Caring, Red Cross Disaster Relief, YMCA Run For the Cure, Rich Center for Autism and the Boy Scouts.
Meo has also lent a helping hand with local events such as Boardman Oktoberfest, the Poland Rotary’s Chili Open, Boardman’s YMCA “Equalizer” Race and various Relay for Life events.
“Johnny works just as hard off the ice as he does on it,” said Bob Mainhardt. “Anything we ever need a player to volunteer for, he’s the first guy in line. He’s done more work to be involved in the community than any other player in each of his three years here.”
Meo’s recognition is the fifth postseason award the Phantoms have collected so far. Brandon Saad was named the NAHL rookie of the year and was named to the league’s all-rookie team. Saad and Cullen Lundholm were named to the All-North Division team.