MINNEAPOLIS – Albertus Magnus College men's ice hockey senior defender Ryan Herpy (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) was named as one of five finalists for the 2023 Hockey Humanitarian Award, as announced Thursday by the Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation.

The award, which is celebrating its 28th season, is presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen — a student-athlete who makes significant contributions not only to his or her team but also to the community at large through leadership in volunteerism.

Herpy is the first student-athlete in the brief history of the Albertus men's ice hockey program to be named a nominee for this prestigious honor. In addition, he is one of just five NCAA Division III student-athletes under consideration for this year's award.

Herpy began his community leadership journey with the Falcons in 2019 when the team created a toy drive for Yale New Haven Children's Hospital to ensure children who were receiving treatment had gifts during the holiday season. In 2020, Herpy and the Falcons started a Thanksgiving food drive to support local families impacted by the pandemic.

During 2021, Herpy gathered his teammates to volunteer their time with FISH of Greater New Haven, packing groceries for those experiencing hardship and food insecurity. This season, he was instrumental in the establishment of a charity game for the Wounded Warrior Project. With the game and an accompanying auction, the men's ice hockey team raised over $12,000 for Wounded Warrior Project and created the groundwork for future charity games.

In addition to his volunteer work, Herpy is a member of the Student Government Association (SGA) and an Executive Board Member of the Honors Program. As a member of SGA, he has volunteered locally with various clean-up days around the college and at other school events.

The 2023 recipient will be announced on Friday, Apr. 7, during the NCAA Men's Frozen Four weekend in Tampa, Fla.