The American Hockey League announced that Albany River Rats defenseman Casey Borer has been named the 2009-10 winner of the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award as the AHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.
The award is voted on by coaches, players and members of the media in each of the league’s 29 cities.
A third-round draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2004, Borer was among those most seriously injured in the River Rats’ Feb. 19, 2009 bus crash on the Massachusetts Turnpike. He suffered a fractured neck vertebra which ended his 2008-09 season, and following a setback over the summer, Borer underwent surgery on his neck in September and was placed in a neck brace for six weeks.
After spending nearly a full year recovering from the injury, Borer returned to Albany’s lineup on Jan. 23, and he is now back in an everyday role with the River Rats.
A native of Minneapolis, Minn., the 24-year-old Borer has recorded a goal and eight assists in 28 games for the River Rats this season.