By Hockey Now Staff /

In addition to its Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award that recognizes an NHL player for superior hockey and community leadership, Bridgestone is now accepting applications for their 2010 Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award.

The youth award is meant to encourage leadership and community spirit while rewarding youth hockey players or mentors/coaches for their contributions to youth sports or education.

The 2009 youth award was given to Tom Barnett of Amherst, N.Y. for his work with minor hockey players in teaching them the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and community service. Barnett received the award and a $5,000 grant from Bridgestone on a national telecast before Game 3 of last year’s Stanley Cup final. Hall of Famer Mark Messier made the presentation.

“We had so many impressive nominations for the award that it was difficult to choose a winner,” Messier said. “Coach Barnett really embodies the things that [minor] hockey should be about. He’s an educator on skates who’s not only teaching young players how to be better players and teammates, he’s teaching them to be leaders both on and off the ice.”

Barnett founded the Shamrock Hockey Club in Buffalo, N.Y., a minor hockey program where players are required to keep good grades and give back to the community.Among other things, Barnett’s players volunteered with the Buffalo Zoo.

The award is open to Canadian or U.S. residents involved in minor hockey who represent various types of exceptional leadership: overcoming adversity to achieve a goal, promoting community service by promoting youth sports or excellence in academics for athletes, or enabling underprivileged kids to partake in hockey, for example.

The award will also be open to individuals who have served as mentors or coaches and through their involvement over the years in minor hockey, have made a significant difference in the lives of kids in one or several roles: coaching administrating, sponsoring, officiating, timing, scoring, or things of that nature.

“Whether it’s on the road, on the ice or at the rink, leadership can take many forms,” said Phil Pacsi, vice president N.A. consumer tire marketing, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations “Mark Messier…set the standard for leadership on the ice and off.”

Past winners of the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award include Mats Sundin, Chris Chelios, and Jarome Iginla.

Applicants for this year’s youth award are asked to write an essay outlining an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to minor hockey and/or the community.

Deadline for applications is April 23, 2010.

For complete award and nomination guidelines for the award, please visit www.bridgestonetire.com in the coming weeks.