San Jose Barracuda captain Andrew Agozzino becomes one of 32 finalists for the AHL’s 2022-23 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award.

In his first season with San Jose, Andrew Agozzino became the leader on and off the ice for the San Jose Barracuda.

Agozzino was brought in by general manager Mike Grier to provide some veteran experience and leadership to the young Barracuda. Agozzino is signed for two seasons.

In the 2021-22 season, the Barracuda ranked as the second youngest team in the AHL, with an average age of 24.13. This season the Cuda ranked as the 11th oldest team in the league with an age of 24.85.

The age number is somewhat significant, but they also went from 4.4 average years of experience in 21-22 to 3.8 average years of experience. With the editions of Thomas Bordeleau and William Eklund, the Cuda needed someone to lead the way.

Agozzino not only led the Barracuda in the locker room, but he was also their top scorer with 61 points in 63 games. Danil Guschin was second on the team in scoring with 45 points, meaning no other player on the team even reached the 50-point plateau.

According to the Barracuda's team site, Agozzino would always be the first one at fan events and the last to leave. He was a great example of professionalism and class. 

The San Jose Sharks called Agozzino up from March 20-28. He played in four games and scored three points. His work ethic and speed were put on full display, and head coach David Quinn noticed.

In his first game, Agozzino played just 10:46 across 18 shifts against the Edmonton Oilers. In the next game, he played 18:09 across 23 shifts. Agozzino would play 24 and 22 shifts in the final two games of his cameo.

Against the Vancouver Canucks on March 23, Agozzino scored a beautiful shorthanded goal.

Agozzino is one of the 32 finalists for the AHL’s 2022-23 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award, which honors the overall IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year. 

The 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 winner of the Award will be announced by the AHL on Thursday, May 5.