PLAYER AWARDS
SCOTT CLEMMENSEN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD - NICK ANDREWS
This award is presented to the player who devotes the most time to service within the Des Moines community during the season. The award’s is named after Urbandale, IA native Scott Clemmensen who was goaltender for the Buccaneers from 1995 to 1997. Scott went on to win a National Championship at Boston College and play an 11-year career in the NHL. He and his family have always been and still are major proponents for the Des Moines community. He is currently a co-owner of the Buccaneers as well.
TREVOR LEWIS TEAM MVP AWARD - ALEX LAFERRIERE
This award goes to the player who was deemed to be most valuable to the team's success throughout the season. The namesake for the award is Buccaneer Alum Trevor Lewis, who played for the Bucs from 2004-2006 and won a Clark Cup. Lewis was the USHL Player of the Year in 2006 as well as winning USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year. He has since won two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings.
MARIO FERRARO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD - MATT CHOUPANI & MASON NEVERS
This award is presented to the player(s) that had the biggest impact on the team in their first season as a Buccaneer. The award is named after Mario Ferraro, Defenseman for the Buccaneers during the 2016-17 season. Ferraro finished his only Bucs season with USHL All-Rookie honors and finished second in scoring by Defenseman in the entire league with 46 points. He is currently a member of the NHL's San Jose Sharks.
JEFF PETRY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD - JOSH LUEDTKE
This award is given to the player deemed to have the most significant role in the defensive play of the team. Jeff Petry is the namesake of this award, who played for Des Moines from 2005 to 2007. Petry won a Clark Cup with Des Moines in 2006, as well as winning USHL Defenseman of the Year and USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year in 2007.
KYLE OKPOSO OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - ALEX LAFERRIERE
Each year this award goes to the player that leads the Bucs in total points, that is, both goals and assists. The award is named after Kyle Okposo, who in his one season with Des Moines in 2006 helped the Bucs to a Clark Cup Championship, won USHL Rookie of the Year, and Clark Cup Finals MVP. Kyle was a seventh overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft and a current member of the Buffalo Sabres.
ERIK COLE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD - FREDERICK PAINE
This award goes to the player who saw the most development in their game from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. This award is named after Erik Cole, a member of the Buccaneers during the 1996-97 season who went on to play 12 seasons in the NHL and won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
BOB MCCORKLE ACADEMIC AWARD - CAMERON ROWE
This award is presented to the Buc player who exemplifies tremendous academic achievements. It is presented in memory of Bucs’ player Bob McCorkle, who passed away in a motorcycle accident while he was on the team in 1982. McCorkle was known for his team leadership and sportsmanship qualities while in Des Moines and won the team's sportsmanship award that season.
ERIC OTTO LEADERSHIP AND PERSEVERANCE AWARD - YAROSLAV ALEXEYEV
This award is presented to the player that embodies true leadership qualities and perseveres through tough times while being a role model to others. The namesake of this award comes from former Buccaneer Eric Otto, who was a consummate leader on the team while in Des Moines from 2016 to 2018. He battled and overcame Hodgkin’s Lymphoma a year after finishing his Junior Hockey career.
CURT HAMMER AWARD - SCHOOL PROCTOR PATTI REEVES
In the past, we have given the Curt Hammer Award to the player that has led the team in total points. The Curt Hammer Award is also an award the USHL has given out to a USHL player who distinguishes himself both on-and-off the ice by demonstrating outstanding performance skills, pride and determination. Curt Hammer served as President of the Bucs from 1984-87 and also held the role of Secretary for the USHL. Hammer was a dedicated volunteer and supporter of hockey in the Des Moines community passing away from cancer in 1987 – his brother, Jeff, currently is an off-ice official for all Bucs' games.
The Buccaneers' Curt Hammer Award recognizes a person who has made a positive impact on the Buccaneer organization as a fan, volunteer or employee.
