Beaudry receives 2017-18 ECHL Community Service Award

Wichita’s Jeremy Beaudry has been selected as the recipient of the 2017-18 ECHL Community Service Award. 

Each ECHL team was given the opportunity to nominate a player for their efforts supporting community and charitable causes during the 2017-18 season. The nominations were voted on by League Office personnel. 

Beaudry attended more than 20 community appearances for the Thunder during the 2017-18 season. He took the lead in helping the Thunder make a difference in the Wichita community this season, and thanks to the efforts of Beaudry and his teammates, there has been increased community support of the Thunder in Central Kansas. The team saw record setting game attendance, sell out nights, event attendance, as well as an extended support system and involvement from organizations and schools in the Wichita area and some from more than four hours away.

Among the events Beaudry participated in during the 2017-18 season were non-profit events and fundraising, animal shelter volunteering, elementary school visits, hospital visits, retirement home visits, junior/youth hockey volunteering and non-profit post-game meet and greets.

In addition to attending appearances, Jeremy made sure to involve fans on game nights as well as out and about in Wichita. As one of the most recognizable players on the Thunder roster, Beaudry made significant impact on Thunder fans who spotted him around town, greeting fans by name with a hug and hello. He also paired with Coach Cameron as the point person between the locker room and front office regarding upcoming events and opportunities for Thunder players.

He got the season started by attending the team’s first community event at Caldwell Elementary School in October. There, he read to a class of hearing-impaired students at the USD 259 Elementary School. Beaudry spent several evenings at the Wichita Ice Center helping the Wichita Thunder Youth Hockey organization and Junior Thunder teams as a special guest coach.

Jeremy was honored in front of more than 13,000 fans on March 30 as the Thunder’s Community Service Award winner, and Most Improved Player Award winner. It was easy to recognize fan approval at the game as INTRUST Bank Arena roared with praise as the rookie defenseman took the ice during the award ceremony.

The other nominees for the 2017-18 ECHL Community Service Award were: James Henry (Adirondack), Joel Chouinard (Allen), Taylor Stefishen (Atlanta), Andrew D’Agostini (Brampton), Steven Lorentz (Florida), Cody Sol (Fort Wayne), Brenden Kotyk (Greenville), Shane Hanna (Idaho), Jack Burton (Indy), Aaron Irving (Kalamazoo), Tyler Elbrecht (Kansas City), Riley Weselowski (Rapid City), Kelly Zajac (South Carolina), Simon Denis (Toledo), Adam Pleskach (Tulsa), Travis Howe (Utah), Zach Tolkinen (Wheeling) and Frankie DiChiara (Worcester).

ECHL Community Service Award Winners

2017-18           Jeremy Beaudry, Wichita Thunder

2016-17           Mike Embach, Fort Wayne Komets

2015-16           Rob Florentino, Florida Everblades

2014-15           Cal Wild, Brampton Beast

2013-14           Dan Eves, Cincinnati Cyclones

2012-13           Andy Brandt, Gwinnett Gladiators

2011-12           Jason Fredricks, Ontario Reign

2010-11           Chris Frank, Elmira Jackals and Dustin Sproat, Cincinnati Cyclones