USA Hockey announced the majority of its annual award winners as part of its virtual Annual Congress in early June. Award recipients, including this year's Service Award recipients, were recognized through USA Hockey's digital channels.
The Wm. Thayer Tutt Award is presented annually by USA Hockey to a volunteer who, during many years of service, has displayed a selfless dedication to the enhancement of ice hockey at the grassroots level in America. It is the top volunteer honor awarded by USA Hockey each season. The award is named in honor of the late Wm. Thayer Tutt, who served as president of USA Hockey from 1972-86.
Known for his infectious positivity and energy, Emmy spent more than 40 years coaching hockey and the youth and high school levels, and he was key contributor to the Minnesota Hockey Player & Coach Development staff and USA Hockey’s Coach Education Program for over 35 years before passing away in 2021.
The USA Hockey Disabled Athlete of the Year Award annually recognizes the outstanding perseverance and dedication by a disabled hockey player through demonstrating the ability to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of excellence both on and off the ice.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Curt Wilson discovered the Minnesota Warriors program, which provides a recreational, therapeutic experience and education for wounded, injured or otherwise disabled veterans of the U.S. military, while attending one of his daughter's games. Wilson has been an ardent advocate of the program ever since, and in 2018, he started a Minnesota Warriors team in St. Cloud, Minnesota, after the program already carried a presence in the Twin Cities and Duluth. In three years since its founding, the St. Cloud program has grown to 62 players.
USA Hockey also recognized the following Minnesotans for their years of service and dedication to youth hockey in the U.S: