By Carly Szydlowski --
(November 26, 2012)... Rochester Knigthawks and Rochester Americans Hall of Famer Jody Gage will be the honored guest at the “Saints and Sinners 55th Annual Fall Guy Charity Roast” on Tuesday, November 27th at 5:30 p.m. at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Saints and Sinners, Inc. is a local Rochester organization which provides funding to charities in the Rochester community and the proceeds from the Jody Gage Roast will benefit the Amerks Alumni Association.  Since its inception, the organization has donated over $1,000,000 to similar local charities.

News 10 NBC Anchor, Rich Funke, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the Roast of Jody Gage, also known as Mr. Amerk during his pro hockey career.  The “Roasters” will include Amerks Hall of Fame broadcaster Don Stevens, Amerks Hall of Fame defenseman Jim Hofford, sports agent Steve Bartlett, radio personality Jeremy Newman of 92.5 WBEE, and Rochester Knighthawks President Lewis Staats.

The Saints and Sinners organization decided to honor Gage at this event because of the major impact he has had and continues to have on the Rochester sports community and because they felt as though he could help raise money for a great cause.

When asked his feelings towards being recognized at the event Gage stated, “It’s quite an honor. It’s a big deal in Rochester. Every year they have a celebrity or a politician, you know it’s always a big name.  So to be the one recognized at this event is truly an honor.”

In 10 seasons with the Rochester Americans, Jody Gage became the Amerks’ all-time leader in games played. He also was awarded the Les Cunningham Award in 1987-88 after becoming the second person to score 60 goals in one season. After “Mr. Amerk” retired during the 1995-1996 season, he went on to become the Assistant General Manager of the Rochester Americans and helped the team come away with the Calder Cup that season. Gage then accepted the General Manager position during the 1996-1997 season with the Rochester Americans.

Also serving as the General Manger of the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks, Gage saw nine teams reach the finals (three hockey, six lacrosse), during 13 seasons.

In 2006, Jody Gage received one of the highest honors of his career when he was inducted into the inaugural class of the AHL Hall of Fame. Just four years later, he was enshrined into the Knighthawks Hall of Fame, making him the only person in both the Amerks and Knighthawks Hall of Fames.  Currently, Gage serves as the Director of Strategic Planning for the Amerks and Vice President of Player Personnel for the Knighthawks.

Obviously Gage is still very much involved in the Rochester sports community and this is why the Saints and Sinners organization decided to honor him at their 55th Annual Fall Guy Charity Roast.

Although he is being honored, Gage is expecting some harsh comments being made by the “Roasters” stating, “I’ll tell you after the roast if I’m looking forward to it.  I just hope everyone has fun at my expense.”

It should turn out to be a fun night full of laughter and it is all for a good cause. For more information about the Jody Gage Roast or to purchase tickets to the event, visit http://www.sandscharities.org/.