Kennewick's own Taylor Vickerman, who plays for the Tri-City Americans, was named the Western Hockey League's Humanitarian of the Year.

During ceremonies held in Calgary, Alberta, Vickerman won the award for his community service and other related efforts during the 2014-15 season.

Vickerman, originally drafted by Vancouver, came to the Americans in a trade last year.  His community service efforts included building houses for Habitat for Humanity, The Edith Bishell Blind and Visually Impaired Annual Dinner in The Dark event, hospital visits, manning the Salvation Army donation kettles, and his biggest,  helping launch the Americans Face Off Against Bullying campaign.

Vickerman, along with Beau McCue and Justin Hamonic, visited numerous schools in the region to talk to the children about how to deal with, and prevent bullying.  Vickerman had this to say about his award:

“I am extremely honored to win this award,” Vickerman said. “I was inspired by Taylor (Procyshen) when I attended the MDA Skills and Drills event when I was younger. The community efforts of the Americans is a legacy that players, Procyshen, Adam Hughesman, and others have kept going throughout the years, which is a culture I wanted to carry on. I want to thank the Americans organization, including Justin Hamonic, Beau McCue, Kathleen Adams and especially my family. The Tri-Cities is where I grew up and I enjoy doing what I can to help make this city and community better.”

Vickerman becomes the 2nd Americans player to win this award, joining Taylor Procyshen who won it for the 2008-09 season. Mitch Topping was the runner-up for the award in 2012-13 and again in 2013-14.

The following is a list of Americans who have won top Western Hockey League Season honors.

Former Tri-City Americans Award Winners
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy Rookie of the Year- Stu Barnes, 1987-88
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy Player of the Year-
Stu Barnes, 1988-89
Bob Clarke Trophy Leading Scorer-
Daymond Langkow, 1994-95
Del Wilson Trophy Goaltender of the Year-
Brian Boucher, 1996-97
Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Coach of the Year-
Don Hay, 1998-99
Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy Executive of the Year-
Don Hay, 1998-99
Del Wilson Trophy Goaltender of the Year-
Carey Price, 2006-07
Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy Executive of the Year-
Bob Tory, 2006-07
Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy Executive of the Year-
Bob Tory, 2007-08
Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Coach of the Year-
Don Nachbaur, 2007-08
Del Wilson Trophy Goaltender of the Year-
Chet Pickard, 2007-08
Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy WHL Regular Season Champions-
2007-08
Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy Humanitarian of the Year-
Taylor Procyshen, 2008-09
Del Wilson Trophy Goaltender of the Year-
Chet Pickard, 2008-09
WHL Scholastic Team of the Year-
2009-10
Bob Clarke Trophy Leading Scorer-
Brendan Shinnimin, 2011-12
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy Player of the Year- Brendan Shinnimin, 2011-12
Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Coach of the Year-
Jim Hiller, 2011-12
Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy Humanitarian of the Year- Taylor Vickerman, 2014-15

 

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