USHL presents inaugural Gaudreau Award to Ethan Wyttenbach of Sioux Falls Stampede
The league established the award to pay tribute to the brothers who died last summer when they were struck by a car while riding their bicycles in their home state of New Jersey. Parents Guy and Jane Gaudreau surprised Wyttenbach in the locker room to deliver the news.
'This award was created to honor their legacy and to serve as a shining example of excellence, character, and heart both on and off the ice,' said USHL President and Commissioner Glenn Hefferan, who is also a New Jersey native. 'Johnny and Matthew left an immeasurable impact on the communities where they lived and played. They were not only exceptional players and teammates but, most importantly, extraordinary people. Their love for the game was only surpassed by their love for their families.'
Wyttenbach was Sioux Falls' top scorer this season despite missing time with an injury. Before getting hurt, he also led the team in community service hours. The league said he spent time filling food bags at Feeding South Dakota, served dinners at the St. Francis House and rung bells for The Salvation Army, along with school visits and youth hockey practices.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Top NHL Draft Prospect Adam Valentini Not To Honor OHL Commitment With Kitchener
Sour news hit the Kitchener Rangers organization, losing a high-end player just before training camp starts. The organization released a statement from GM Mike McKenzie via their official X account announcing that forward Adam Valentini will not honor his commitment to the team. Valentini left the Chicago Steel of the USHL to sign with the Rangers ahead of the upcoming season back on Jun. 5. 'I was informed today by the agent for Adam Valentini that Adam has chosen to revoke his commitment to play this season for the Kitchener Rangers and will instead be going to the University of Michigan,' said McKenzie via the statement. Valentini was originally drafted by the Brampton Steelheads 13th overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He was regarded as a top-three pick but fell down the board due to his commitment to the NCAA. The Rangers acquired the rights to Valentini on Sept. 5, 2024, in exchange for four draft picks. Kitchener getting the Toronto, Ontario, native to commit before heading to Michigan was arguably one of the most exciting signings of this off-season. He's a projected first-round pick for the upcoming 2026 NHL draft and had the potential to play a top-six role in the OHL, further elevating his draft stock. However, revoking your commitment one week before training camp starts isn't a great look. Kingston Frontenacs Bolster Blueline With Top-Four Defenseman Jack Brauti We are just under two weeks away from the start of the 2025 OHL preseason. Training camps are just around the corner, and the Kingston Frontenacs recognized the need to add a top-four defenseman to their lineup ahead of the 2025-26 season. Valentini's agent is Darren Ferris, who is known to be a tough negotiator. Ferris would've helped push his client to fast-track his education so he could play in the NCAA a year early. Will this be the right move for his development in such a pivotal year? Or will this set him up for a draft season met with struggles? Because of the short notice, thankfully, the Rangers will not have to forfeit the second, third, and fourth round draft picks they gave to Brampton. Good for Kitchener, but I can't imagine the Steelheads are pleased with Valentini's choice here. Valentini recently won a bronze medal representing Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He finished the tournament with two goals, two assists, and a +9 in five games. Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. Latest OHL News: London Knights Bolster Lineup With Latest Two Signings There's one thing that the London Knights don't do: rebuild. Fresh off back-to-back OHL Championships, and several of their star players leaving the team due to graduating to the professional level or aging out of the league, don't expect the Hunter brothers to stay quiet. Niagara IceDogs Acquire Alex Hage, Younger Brother of Montreal Canadiens Top Prospect The Niagara IceDogs and the Peterborough Petes have made a minor trade involving the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens' top prospect Michael Hage. Harvard Commit Luka Graziano Signs With Flint Firebirds Flint Firebirds GM Dave McParlan has been active this summer in bringing in new pieces to his blueline for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The additions continue to come with the signing of former OHL Cup champion Luka Graziano.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Abbey's Road: Types of parents at youth sporting events
The end of July marked the official beginning of the high school tennis season. Two tournaments into our second year of this gig and I am slowly reacquainting myself with what, exactly, that looks like. There are some sports parents who know all the things about their kids' sports. I am proud of those parents, because they seem like they have it all together. If I could, I would give them all participation trophies because that's the kind of thing millennials do. I, meanwhile, sit in the bleachers and watch my three kids figure skate, and if I can name the jump or spin they're attempting at any given moment, it's a really good day. Could I spend some time Googling to figure out what I'm missing? Well, yes. And I have, a little. But I don't actually mind that, thus far, all of our children have chosen to participate in sports about which I have very little background knowledge. It means that I never have technical advice to offer them. I cannot 'coach' them on the finer points of the entrances to their salchows or instruct Bookworm on finessing her backhand. All I can do is encourage them to do their best, maintain their cool and remember that the reason why we play sports is to have fun and keep our bodies healthy. Abbey's Road: Celebrating 16 simply Sitting in the bleachers in the chill of the ice rink or in a folding chair under the blazing sun by the tennis court, I spend a lot of time observing not just the sport being played, but the conversations and bits of life that unfold on the sidelines. It's fascinating to watch, the way parents live out this secondary role of cheerleader/coach/support person, and I've found there are different types of parents who do this in different ways: The 'All In' Parent: They wear earrings that say 'Rugby Mama,' have their kid's face on a badge on their shirt, bemoan the fact that they can't attend any social functions during sports season but actually live for their kid's games and don't know what to do with themselves when the season is over. (Some may pursue private lessons and club sports in the off-season for this reason. And also, you know, for the betterment of the player.) The 'Vicarious Athleticism' Parent: They may not have made the cheerleading squad or the football team, or the quiz-bowl team during high school; maybe they did, and their glory days are long since over. Regardless, Johnny's stint as starting quarterback is their second chance! They know the plays, research the moves, foot the bills for the best equipment and do everything they can to launch Johnny into success, because (off the record) their well-being, at least, partially depends on it. The Team Mom: The one who brings all the snacks, stocks all the Band-Aids, packs extra water and is there for every kid whose parent is working late, had things to do or is not generally organized. Team Moms are more common in younger-kid sports but still make an appearance in higher-grade levels. The Team Mom is a great one to become acquainted with if you are a Laissez Faire (see below) and don't remember to bring the basics because you don't know what the basics are. The Quiet Cheerleader: They show up. All the time. They might know a lot — maybe they're a retired pro — but you'd never know it because they largely keep to themselves. Perhaps they're introverted, or perhaps watching their kid's games are their time to unwind. They might be quiet, but they're invested, and it shows by their consistency and attention. The 'Laissez Faire' Parent: They show up but have very little idea as to what's going on. Perhaps they bring a book or their latest crochet project; perhaps they are entertaining disinterested siblings who have been unwittingly dragged along. It's not that they don't care, it's just that there are other things, and sometimes their focus is stolen away at the cost of maintaining a life-sports parent balance. Chances are you've met a few of these in your life; maybe you are one, or a combination. There are many things about each of these types that I can appreciate: The 'All In' Parent's abilities to immerse themselves in their kid's world (without getting lost in it); the 'Vicarious Athleticism' Parent's willingness to learn about something that's important to their kid and help them along (while letting their kid hold the reins); the Team Mom's willingness to step in and provide wherever she sees gaps; the Quiet Cheerleader's consistency; the "Laissez Faire" Parent's ability to resist the urge to control and allow their kid to find their own way (while still being invested in whatever it is their kid is doing). Abbey's Road: Facing the end of summer with some emotion Whichever you are, as we begin a new school year of new seasons, I pray we all find the balance between cheering our kids on and letting them live their lives; between investing in them and allowing them space to decide what their limits and passions are; between supporting our children and allowing their activity to become our entire identity. All in all, the sports season is a small portion of our children's lives. May we all make the most of it and help one another to do the same. Abbey Roy is a mom of three girls who make every day an adventure. She writes to maintain her sanity. You can probably reach her at amroy@ but responses are structured around bedtimes and weekends.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Former Minnesota Wild Forward Joins Muskegon Of USHL As Assistant Coach
The Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) announced on Friday the hiring of former Minnesota Wild forward Pat Maroon as assistant coach.
