Who is Jake Massie? Hershey Bears IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year

“Anytime we can get out in the community, especially one with this kind of rich history. Obviously, this town was built on a good community man so anytime we can give back it’s always special.”

Jake Massie

The Hershey Bears recently announced that defenseman Jake Massie has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Hershey and Central Pennsylvania community during the 2023-24 season.

Here is what I and others have seen from Jake Massie since he arrived in Hershey.

One, he is absolutely a great guy. If you attended a hard practice, are in the media room after a tough loss, or greeting fans on the street after a Calder Cup celebration, there is one thing that you could count on: Jake Massie having a smile on his face.

Ask people or teammates about Jake and they rave about him; “good dude,” “great work ethic,” “tremendous attitude,” are just a few of the praises.

The reason Massie earned the Bears “Man of the Year Award” was how he “enthusiastically” participated in over 20 community events this season as part of the club’s Hershey Bears Cares community program.

According to the press release, Massie is often the first player to register for an event, encourages his teammates to join him, and challenges the club to secure more community activities and appearances.

None of this is surprising if you have seen Massie in action at events.  It doesn’t matter what kind of event it is either.  Whether it’s designing a jersey with middle school kids, having lunch with a high school hockey team or visiting kids at the hospital, Massie is not only present at the event, but he is engaged and locked in the moment.  In other words, you can say that he understands the assignment.

“I think it’s important to always give back. Obviously, we’re pretty fortunate in our situation,” Massie said.

“So anytime we can get out in the community, especially one with this kind of rich history. Obviously, this town was built on a good community man so anytime we can give back it’s always special.”

His favorite events?

“Anytime we go see the kids in the hospital. I think those ones hit home pretty good. Anytime you can go lift their spirits, even for a little bit, put a smile on their day. That’s what really matters.”

First year Bear, Dmitry Osipov, sees the same Massie on the ice and off the ice.

“{I} Can’t even say a bad thing. It’s just the way he is. He likes to help out people and you see him on all those events, on the phone or visiting kids. It’s just like, a really genuine guy, great attitude.”

This year it didn’t take Massie long to kick his community events into high gear. He started the season by taking the Calder Cup to visit several of our first responders at the Penn State Health Life Lion’s Hershey-based hanger. There, he posed for dozens of photos and shared his experiences of being part of the championship team.

He has visited Penn State Health Children’s Hospital four times. Each time Massie could be found having fun, playing games, signing autographs, visiting with families, and posing for photos with patients and staff members.

Additionally, Massie took part in the first-ever Leukemia & Lymphoma Light the Night in-patient activation at the Penn State Health Cancer Institute. Massie along with five other Bears who took part encouraged adults battling cancer to continue the fight.

Massie is now one of 32 finalists for the AHL’s 2023-24 Yanick Dupré 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 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award winner will be announced by the American Hockey League later this month.

We wish Jake Massie best of luck.  Should he receive this award, we hope it brings a smile to his face, just like all the smiles he has given so many in this Hershey Bears community.

Photo Credit Hershey Bears / Tori Hartman