Stella, famed as a printmaker and artist, was instrumental in the early 1980s in the conversion of hardball singles to softball squash, which paved the way for the squash boom in the USA.

Organisers have confirmed he will be at the stunning Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal, New York, to collect one of this year's honours.

As well as embracing the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) Players of the Year, this year's awards will also honour the top new player and doubles team from the ISDA, the American hardball doubles tour.

Among the favourites for this year's PSA Male Player of the Year will be world number one Ramy Ashour and PSA World Open champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Nick Matthew.

Malaysia's world champion and world number one Nicol David looks favourite to maintain her stranglehold on the women's award.

The gala evening will be hosted by Peter Nicol and John Nimick.

Nicol, a director of the awards founders Eventis, said: "We always see the event as the chance for people from all walks of squash to get together, and the great thing about taking it to New York is that this year it will involve a whole new raft of individuals who we are sure will have a great evening and help it grow in stature."

The awards, on January 20, will precede the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions, the first PSA World Series event of 2011, which will take place on the all-glass court built in the Vanderbilt Hall for the week.