“I don’t know where to begin when it comes to expressing my excitement for the upcoming ceremony. This is our 5th Tyler Putnam Awards and every event is incredibly special because every event has a unique group of excited winners and families.The looks on their faces when they walk in to the ceremony is one that is not easily forgotten. Honoring these great young men and women and memorializing Tyler Putnam and Josh Opladen is a privilege. Having the entire Rochester hockey community support the event is very special and very much appreciated. Congratulations to the 2017-2018 award recipients.”
Rob Sedia
Founder / Tyler Putnam Awards
The Award Ceremony is Friday March 23rd! We look forward to honoring and awarding our 2017-2018 Tyler Putnam Award Winners!
PLAYER NAME ORGANIZATION/SCHOOL
Corey Lewis Aquinas Institute
Max McHale Irondequoit High School
Rene Gangarosa Brighton High School
NA.J. Hussar Monroe County Youth Hockey
Alex Spoto McQuaid Jesuit High School
Mitchell Culver Rochester Junior Monarchs
Kyle Huber Canandaigua Youth Hockey
Andrew Della Donna Syracuse Nationals 04 AAA
Ryan Briggs Victor High School
Josh Brown NewEdge Hockey Development Academy
Marco Viola Penfield High School
Jason Vent Webster Thomas High School
Sirena Fitzery Frontier Lakeshore/Orchard Park Girls HS
Angel Bennett Rochester Edge Girls Hockey
Brandon Drexler Webster Youth Hockey
Keegan Ahern Rochester Grizzlies 06 Coalition
Jonathan Newcombe Fairport High School
Chris Schwarm Greece Olympia High School
Morgan Bronstein Pittsford High School
Darrick Smith Rush Henrietta High School
Peter Taccone Brockport High School
Sam Sedia Hilton High School
Justin Gibb Webster Schroeder High School
Brennan Lee Rochester Youth Hockey
Noah Schwartz Canandaigua High School
Victor Benjovsky Tri County Youth
Josh Opladen Goaltender Award Winner
Mason Burdick / Monroe County Youth Hockey
Celebrating Hockey in Rochester, NY
On March 23, 2018, the 5th Annual Tyler Putnam Hockey Awards
will be take place at the beautiful Whittier House in Rochester, NY. Last year’s award ceremony hosted over 300 of Rochester NY’s who’s who in hockey and celebrated 29 award winners from 27 different hockey programs in the greater Rochester, NY area beyond. This formal ceremony has celebrity speakers, beautiful, custom awards, a fantastic, complimentary dinner and is recognized by local TV, multiple hockey magazines and several other media sources. This year’s event will honor upward of 30 minor hockey players and host a record breaking 350-400 people! In addition to the Tyler Putnam Awards, NEHDA also provides the Josh Opladen Goaltender Award and the prestigious Coach of the Year Award. It is truly a great experience for all involved but most importantly, the Tyler Putnam Awards has raised thousands of dollars for the Tyler Putnam Foundation and other charities!
Tyler Putnam’s Story
Tyler Putnam’s dream was to play for his High School Hockey team, The Irondequoit Eagles, Junior Hockey, Division I Hockey and ultimately Professional Hockey. Tyler was able to realize two of those dreams, having played for The Irondequoit Eagles as an eighth and ninth grader and then with the Maksymum Junior team here in Rochester, NY. At the conclusion of his first Junior season, Tyler was well on his way of realizing his next dream as he was offered roster spots on five Junior A teams from Rochester, Minnesota to San Diego, California.
In July of 2011, Tyler’s hockey dreams ended tragically when he died of an illness called “meningococcemia”, which is an infection that affects the bloodstream. Tyler Putnam was known for his high energy, incredible work ethic, and desire to achieve his goals. Tyler has been memorialized with a banner hanging above the ice at a local hockey arena as well as by a memorial helmet sticker that dawns the symbol of a hard hat – a symbol of Tyler’s hard work and dedication to the game that he loved.
One player from each of the following organizations who exemplifies hard work, commitment, character, and a dedication to the game of hockey will receive a Tyler Putnam Award!
Aquinas High School Hockey Program
Brighton High School Hockey Program
Brockport High School Hockey Program
Canandaigua Youth Hockey
Canandaigua High School Hockey Program
Churchville Chili High School Hockey Program
Edge Girls Hockey Program
Fairport High School Hockey Program
Gates-Chili High School Hockey Program
Greece Storm High School Hockey Program
Hilton High School Hockey Program
Irondequoit High School Hockey Program
McQuaid High School Hockey Program
Monroe County Youth Hockey
NewEdge Hockey Development Academy
Penfield High School Hockey Program
Rochester Monarchs Youth Hockey
Rochester Junior Monarchs
Pittsford High School Hockey Program
Rochester Coalition
Rochester Grizzlies Youth Hockey
Rochester Youth Hockey
Spencerport High School Hockey Program
Syracuse Nationals / Blazers
Tri-County Youth Hockey
Webster Youth Hockey
Webster Schroeder High School Hockey Program
Webster Thomas High School Hockey Program
Victor High School Hockey Program
Welcome Buffalo, NY! The 2017-2018 Tyler Putnam Awards have grown from year to year have included our first Buffalo, NY program; Frontier Lakeshore/Orchard Park Girls HS
