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Hometown Hero's - Chuck Gridley

By Webmaster, 06/12/19, 10:00PM EDT

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CNY Area Hockey Members Recognized

At the most recent NYSAHA meeting held the first weekend in June 2019 in Syracuse a local USAH member was recognized for their contribution to Hockey in the area.  Most of the coaches in the area who has attended clinics at Skaneateles, played at their rink, or been involved with the local Sled Hockey program will recognize the name Chuck Gridley.  Chuck was the winner of the Peter Rush Award this year.

From the NYSAHA page, The Peter Rush award is presented annually  since 1989 to a person who has displayed a selfless long-term dedication and commitment to the growth of youth hockey. The recipient must be from the Section in which the Annual Meeting of the membership is held. 

Peter Rush was originally involved with youth hockey in the Buffalo, New York area. In the early 1960s, he was an integral part of the expansion and growth of the Buffalo Shamrocks Athletic Club, an original member of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association. He was one of our early USA Hockey Directors from New York and was ultimately elected as a National Director. As time went on, Peter’s involvement with USA Hockey (then known as AHAUS) grew and he was recognized for his efforts by being selected as the first National Championship chairman overseeing all National tournaments. Peter, along with Bob Allen and several others, was instrumental in the initial growth of youth hockey throughout New York State. Peter passed away in the late 1980’s after a long illness. In 1989 the New York State Amateur Hockey Association established “The Peter Rush Award” in his honor and is dedicated to his long and strong commitment to youth hockey. This award is presented annually to a person who has displayed a selfless long-term dedication and commitment to the growth of youth hockey. The recipient must be from the Section in which the Annual Meeting of the membership is held. Past Award Winners are available on the NYSAHA website.

Although may people in CNY hockey may know Chuck as a member of the Skaneateles Hockey program, most coaches know him as a staple in the USA Hockey Coaching program as he serves as the NYS District Coach in Chief/Coaching Education Coordinator and many fewer may know but many admire admire him for his commitment to Sled Hockey as the coach of the CNY Flyers who play out of Allyn Arena in Skaneateles.  Please check the team out, it is truly an amazing game played closer to the ice surface and with more competitive tenacity that you can imagine!

Congratulations Chuck!