NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bridgestone America is continuing as the presenting sponsor of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, and the NHL’s Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award.

At left: Phil Pacsi, Bridgestone’s vice president of North American consumer tire marketing, with future NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier.

The NHL Leadership Award, won last year by Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla, recognizes a National Hockey League player who “demonstrates superior leadership in hockey and has made positive contributions to society.”

The Youth Leadership Award is “intended to encourage leadership and community spirit and to reward youth hockey players or mentor/coaches for their contributions to youth sports or education,” according to Bridgestone Americas.

“I’m very excited to continue my partnership with the Bridgestone team,” Messier said. “Bridgestone Americas is a company which shares my passion for excellence and community service. The Youth Leadership Awards is especially close to my heart as it rewards an amateur player or coach who represents aspects of youth hockey that really make a difference: courage, leadership and community spirit. The 2009 recipient, Tom Barnett, was a very deserving recipient of the award.”

“Whether it’s on the road, on the ice or at the rink, leadership can take many forms,” said Phil Pacsi, Bridgestone’s vice president of North American consumer tire marketing. “We are delighted to align another NHL marketing platform to the Bridgestone brand with Mark Messier, who set the standard for leadership on the ice and off. Mark also uniquely enables the Bridgestone brand to promote and reward community leadership throughout North America.” (Tire Review)