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USHL Announces Recipient of First-Ever Gaudreau Award Commemorating Deceased Siblings

USHL announces recipient of first Gaudreau Award commemorating deceased siblings
Santiago Carline
By Santiago Carline
Reading time: 6 min

The USHL declared Ethan Wyttenbach as the first recipient of The Gaudreau Award on Saturday, a distinction given to a player who best embodies the legacy of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, according to the league.

At 18 years old, Wyttenbach led the Sioux Falls Stampede with 23 goals in 43 games this season. As stated in the USHL announcement, he also led the team in community service hours.

Wyttenbach acted as a role model for local youth hockey players and participated in various charitable activities, such as filling food bags for Feeding South Dakota, serving dinners at the St. Francis House, and ringing bells for The Salvation Army.

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The top junior ice hockey league established The Gaudreau Award to honor former players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. After successful stints in the USHL, the brothers went on to play at Boston College. Johnny then had an 11-year career in the NHL with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, while Matthew played professionally for teams in the American Hockey League and ECHL.

Tragically, the brothers passed away last summer after being hit by a car while riding bicycles in New Jersey. The USHL created The Gaudreau Award "to pay tribute to their legacy and to serve as a shining example of excellence, character, and heart both on and off the ice," according to Glenn Hefferan, president and commissioner of the league.

"Johnny and Matthew made a lasting impact on the communities where they lived and played. ... They were not only exceptional players and teammates, but most importantly, extraordinary individuals. Their love for the game was only surpassed by their love for their families."

According to the USHL, the criteria for winning The Gaudreau Award includes both on-ice performance and "joy, enthusiasm, care, and responsibility."

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