February 4, 2010
Gino Gasparini and Karen Wente were honored by the USHL for their outstanding contributions to the League. (Gasparini photo by USHL Images and Wente photo by Doug Huddleston/Waterloo Black Hawks)
While the USHL featured its best and brightest on the ice during the 2010 All-Star Game, the League also took the opportunity to honor those who have made significant contributions off the ice.
In a pregame ceremony prior the faceoff of the USHL All-Star Game, former USHL Commissioner Gino Gasparini was honored by the League as the recipient of the 2010 USHL Distinguished Service Award. Joining the former Commissioner on the ice for the presentation were current USHL Commissioner and President Skip Prince, William "Butch" Johnson, Chairman of the USHL Board of Directors and owner of the Waterloo Black Hawks, and Jim Kronschnabel, former Board Chairman and President of the Sioux City Musketeers.
Gasparini becomes the fifteenth recipient of the honor. However, the true extent of Gasparini's contributions, and the honor due him, came in the announcement that the name of the award itself – the most prestigious that the USHL offers – had officially been changed to the Gino Gasparini Distinguished Service Award.
"I didn't expect that," said Gasparini after the ceremony. "I am extremely honored and humbled by this recognition and certainly thankful to everyone responsible. The USHL has a special place in my heart after 15 years. Just being involved in it has been fun, and certainly having my name placed on that award is a wonderful honor."
Gasparini became the USHL Commissioner prior to the 1995-96 season beginning a tenure of success that saw growth in League attendance, the number of NCAA Division I scholarships, and players annually selected in the NHL Entry Draft. Under his leadership, the USHL was established in 2002 as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league.
"The evolution of a League doesn't happen individually, it has to happen collectively," said Gasparini. "Trying to get everyone on the same page doesn't always happen very quickly or easily, so the fact that the USHL has progressed the way it has over time is a real compliment to everybody involved. More importantly, the great thing about the League is what it does for players and what it is doing for the game of hockey in America."
Having an award named in his honor wasn't the only surprise in store for Gasparini on the ice, as Mark Carlson, Head Coach and General Manager of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, presented Gino with a new set of golf clubs on behalf of the USHL's coaches and general managers.
"The first thing my sons said to me when I got home was that they heard I got a new set of golf clubs," Gasparini said with a laugh. "It will be an interesting battle to see who gets the hand-me-downs."
At the USHL All-Star Gala on the Monday evening prior to the game, Commissioner Prince also took the opportunity to recognize the importance of one of the League's most fundamental elements – that is, the families and volunteers in each Member Club city, whose care for their teams and players are such an integral part of the USHL experience. "These men and women are the heart and soul of what the USHL stands for," said Prince. "It is important to recognize what they do for all of us, and how much we depend on their participation."
Prince then announced the creation of the Karen Wente Memorial Award, named in memory of Karen Wente, the long-time housing coordinator for the Waterloo Black Hawks and the organizer of the team's booster club, who passed away unexpectedly last season. Wente was also the owner of Karen's Print Rite, a steadfast business supporter of the Black Hawks.
Presenting the award, in honor of Karen, was P.K. O'Handley, Waterloo Black Hawks Head Coach and General Manager, who gave a moving tribute to a friend and mentor much missed throughout the Black Hawks organization and the entire USHL. O'Handley recognized Karen's husband, Bill, who became the first recipient of the award in her name.
To conclude the evening, Commissioner Prince along with Paul Skjodt, owner of the Indiana Ice, and the team's head coach, Jeff Blashill, then presented the 2010 Karen Wente Memorial Award to Bob and Carolyn McCutcheon. Mr. and Mrs. McCutcheon, who have served as housing parents for the Ice since the team's inception in the USHL, currently coordinate all housing matters in Indianapolis, and continue to extend the tradition of family that is essential to the USHL.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 31st season of elite junior hockey in 2009-10. With over 190 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 13 NHL Entry Draft picks currently on League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
