KEARNEY, Neb. – When Storm forward Garrett Gamez got a call telling him he’d won a USHL award last week, he was more excited for the voice on the other end of the line.
Gamez was being honored with the league’s Curt Hammer Award for the 2013-14 season. The award is presented annually to recognize the USHL player who distinguishes himself both on and off the ice by demonstrating outstanding performance skills, leadership, pride, and determination.
The voice notifying him belonged to Alicia Korte, the Director of Group Sales and Fan Relations for the central Nebraska franchise.
“When Alicia told me the news we were both ecstatic,” Gamez said. “But I was more excited for her than myself.”
In existence since the 1988-89 season, the award is given in memory of the late Curt Hammer, who served as President of the Des Moines Buccaneers for three seasons (1984-87) and also held the role of Secretary for the USHL. It was established to honor his commitment to the League and the perseverance he displayed in continuing his work through hockey while battling cancer.
“There’s no way I could have won it without her,” Gamez said. “It’s an award that we won together. I’m not the only one being recognized, it’s our whole team.”
The two have enjoyed working together since the Chino Hills, Calif. native joined the roster in the fall of 2012. During the past season, they took the community initiative to new heights, making appearances all throughout the region.
“The first year when Garrett got here he was still in high school, but you could tell that he was a great kid,” Korte said. “He was very outgoing, had a positive attitude and an overall happiness to be here. He wanted to be here; he wanted to be active and make a good impression not only with our staff, but as a leader in the community.”
Gamez had the same feelings about the work Korte is doing with the team’s community relations efforts.
“She makes it so much fun when we go out in the community,” Gamez said. We’re always meeting new people and Alicia constantly has a happy attitude which is awesome. She’s a person that lightens up your day when you’re with her and it has been really easy to work together. I have a lot of respect for her and she’s just a great person.”
The 19-year-old’s favorite trips were to preschools, where he would play with a younger audience who were thrilled at his presence.
“It was really to see smiles on the kids’ faces,” Gamez said. “We play with them, read with them, color with them, whatever they want and the kids have an absolute blast. I remember one time one of the kids had a missing tooth just like me. I was popping my tooth out in front of him and we took a nice picture together. The kids never give you a break. We do whatever we can to make their day.”
One of the events that stuck out most during his two-year career with the team was volunteering at the Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Center’s Simply Pink Fashion Show.
“We got to dress up and walk cancer survivors across the stage and honor what they’ve done and what they’ve been through,” Gamez said. “That was one of the things that really hit home for me. My family has a history of cancer, so that was something I really wanted to help out with.”
Other community activities for Gamez during the USHL season included participation in a barn painting project that benefitted the Central Nebraska Make-A-Wish program and volunteering hours with the Salvation Army bell-ringing initiative.
“Garrett has such a great attitude,” Korte said. “I can’t think of a player who wanted this more. It’s just refreshing to see such a great kid receive this honor. I can’t wait to see what he does not only next season, but in the future both on and off the ice.”
In his second USHL season, Gamez was the team’s second-leading scorer with 34 points (6g, 28a) over 57 games. After being held off the scoresheet over his first 16 games of the season, he put up 23 points (4g, 19a) over the next 21 contests.
Gamez will be back on the ice with his team next week when the Storm will hold tryout camp June 16-21 in Las Vegas. The forward plans on returning to Kearney and continuing his work in the community for a third season during 2014-15.
“I’m super excited for the upcoming season,” Gamez said. It will be a great fight during camp to see who makes it and who doesn’t. I feel like this will be my most influential year in the league. We have a lot of guys coming back and there are a lot of new players joining the team. I plan on being a leader and competing for a Clark Cup championship at the end of it all.”