USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Cheers for Hawks' Chyzyk

Published on May 5, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa - The Waterloo Black Hawks' Bryn Chyzyk has been honored as the United States Hockey League's General Manager of the Year by a vote of his peers, the USHL announced on Friday.

The 30-year-old just completed his third season with the Black Hawks organization and second in the GM's chair. He originally joined the club as Director of Scouting for the 2020/21 campaign, then was promoted during the summer of 2021. The roster Chyzyk assembled for 2022/23 brought home a 40-21-1 record, the third 40-win season in team history. The Hawks improved from 60 points and a sixth place Western Conference finish in 2021/22 to 81 points and second place this winter.

"Bryn puts in long hours as part of a job which has become year-round and multifaceted at the USHL level," said Black Hawks Managing Director Eric Petersen. "It's a role which doesn't receive a lot of recognition, so I am very pleased that other league GMs have taken note of Bryn's acumen and professionalism."

Chyzyk manages a small but mighty scouting staff including veterans Matt Grainda and Justin Froese, plus more recent additions Jake Bennett and Jake VanBesien.

The group began the formal process of building the 2022/23 Black Hawks amidst the 2022 Clark Cup Playoffs. Days after the Hawks won a first round postseason series last May, the USHL Draft brought 27 new players into the fold. Chyzyk traded to acquire the first overall pick, selecting Matthew Frost. While Phase I of the draft is intended to address long-term needs, Frost appeared in 13 regular season games for Waterloo, and five other Phase I picks made at least one appearance.

During Phase II, Chyzyk added a variety of players who made important contributions in 2022/23. Waterloo's first selection was defenseman Aaron Pionk, who went on to be named to the All-USHL Second Team earlier this week. Myles Hilman was chosen with an additional first round pick; Hilman ranked fourth among the Black Hawks with 17 goals and served as an assistant captain in his first year with the organization.

The Hawks also spotted talent deeper in the draft. Goaltender Jack Spicer was selected in Round Seven, going on to win 21 regular season games, which tied for sixth in the USHL. Waterloo also found great value in the 12th round, adding defenseman Jaedon Kerr. The now-19-year-old made the team and played in 58 games; Kerr committed to Notre Dame and was ultimately selected as Waterloo's Most Improved Player by his teammates.

Chyzyk also engineered several notable roster additions within the 2022/23 season. Caden Brown brought NCAA experience from the University of Wisconsin at the semester break. Miko Matikka, Nate Benoit, and Garrett Brown all joined the Black Hawks after trades. Each member of that trio is an NHL Draft pick. Combining their talents with Sam Rinzel and Emmett Croteau, the group of five NHL prospects represented the largest collection of players who have ever skated for the Hawks after being drafted.

Today's announcement marks the fourth time a member of the Black Hawks hockey operations staff has been recognized as USHL General Manager of the Year. P.K. O'Handley earned the title at the end of three prior seasons: 2002/03, 2011/12, and most recently 2017/18.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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