Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
What anyone observing Manitoba moose can quickly see Tyrell Ball Bring ice.
The Alberta-born defender is a throwback. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound Ball became a fan favorite at the Canadian Life Center with his steady defense and ability to quickly guard teammates, accounting for 401 penalty minutes in 214 games.
In youth hockey, he served as captain in his third season in the Western Hockey League. He also became the leader of the Moose team.
But off the ice, he was a gentle man. That’s why the AHL, along with representatives from the IOA and American Specialty, selected him as this season’s Yannick Dupree Memorial Award winner. The award, given to players who have made “outstanding contributions to local communities and charitable organizations,” honors Hershey Bears forward Yanick Dupré, who battled leukemia in 1997 at age 24.
During his four seasons in Winnipeg, Ball has been immersed in Winnipeg life. He was a two-time selection for Manitoba’s team that won the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award and joined Jimmy Olini (2022-23) and jimmy roy (2002-03) as a Moose Dupree Award winner.
“This is a very, very special award for many reasons,” Ball said. “When I got the call, I did some research on Yanick and what he meant to the community and his story. I’m honored to be recognized and try to make this happen in his name.”
First, Ball, 24, worked with the Kinship and Foster Family Network of Manitoba on a program that brought foster families to Moose home games. There, they met Ball and brought back gift bags from the team.
Then there’s Project 11, a major deal in and around the Jets and Winnipeg. This is part of being late Rick RypienOf his legacy, several long-time members of the group have close ties to Rypien, dating back to his days with Moose’s original incarnation in the city. Part of the True North Youth Foundation, Project 11 emphasizes mental health education. Ball has also been heavily involved in the initiative, coaching an under-11 boys team at the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy and serving as a speaker at TNYF’s annual gala.
The location means the Moose have one of the AHL’s most demanding road schedules, making time difficult to find during the 72-game regular season. But Power also participated in a class visit with St. Amant, a non-profit organization that helps people in the province dealing with developmental disabilities, autism and acquired brain injuries. His community itinerary also includes holiday gift drives, classes, autograph signings and competition at the Moose Backyard Rink.
It was a heavy workload that stretched beyond an already tight schedule, but Ball accepted it happily.
Olini served as the Moose captain during Ball’s rookie season and impressed.
“The things I learned on the ice, the things I learned from him,” Ball recalled of his former defensive partner. “He’s a really nice guy…good at building relationships, bringing young people in, welcoming me and making me feel like part of the team.
“And then seeing him at these community events and how he interacted with people, how he interacted with kids or adults or fans in such a genuine way, it really taught me a lot, enough for me to take over Jimmy’s foster home program after he left. I asked him, I said, ‘Hey, what are you going to do with this? Can I take it over in your name?’ He was all in. You just get excited to see this program continue because of what it means to the community.”
Bauer also recognized one very clear fact: Hockey cannot function without the support of fans and the community at every level. Whether it’s taking to the ice for a grassroots workout with the kids or watching a Jets game at the Canadian Life Centre, fans keep the sport going.
“As a hockey player,” Ball said, “we’re in a very unique position to give back to the community. I mean, our job is to play hockey, but we wouldn’t be where we are without the fans in the community cheering us on and supporting us. So to be able to give back to them and show genuine appreciation for what they do for us, it’s special.”
AHL players like Ball are young, healthy, pursuing life dreams and have a bright future. But as Dupree drove home after his death in 1997, life quickly became difficult – whether from illness, addiction, financial stress or other pain. Despite Ball’s early success and being one game away from an NHL call-up, he remains cognizant of the reality outside the ice.
“Everyone goes through something else in their life,” Ball said. “They have their own unique challenges. People just want to feel connected. They want to be heard. They want to be seen, and it’s a universal experience for everyone. Being able to interact and have fun and just have some laughs or smiles can really go a long way.”
Like Olini, Ball is now one of the senior voices in the Moose locker room. He will continue to spread the message he heard when he first came to Moose.
“It really brings the community together and I’m really grateful for this opportunity. We’re all very proud to play in Winnipeg.”
About two decades in the American Hockey League, TheAHL.com feature writer Patrick Williams also currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. In 2016, he received the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of the league.
