Hitmen Forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz Named 2020 WHL Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year
April 8, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Calgary Hitmen forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz Named 2020 WHL Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year
(Calgary Hitmen)
Calgary, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today Riley Fiddler-Schultz, forward of the Calgary Hitmen, and Jake Gricius, forward of the Portland Winterhawks, have been named nominees for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (WHL Humanitarian of the Year) presented by Kia.
Eastern Conference - Riley Fiddler-Schultz (Calgary Hitmen) Fiddler-Schultz, a 17-year-old product of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., has quickly engrained himself in his local community.
In his second season with the Hitmen, Fiddler-Schultz created his own community program coined Fidds Friends. This program brought kids registered with the Boys & Girls Club of Calgary to Hitmen games throughout the season. Attendees received tickets to a game, as well as parking and concession vouchers. Following each game, Fiddler-Schultz met with the kids as well as their guests for post-game photos and autographs. The program reached 60 participants throughout the regular season.
Riley's contributions to the Boys & Girls Club of Calgary included playing ball hockey with the organization and helping to provide a positive role model for kids within the organization to look up to. One of these interactions included a participant in the Fidds Friends program who had aggressive tendencies. Since meeting Fiddler-Schultz, the participant's behaviour has improved dramatically.
Initiating another event to give back to his community, Fiddler-Schultz collected donations for the Veterans Food Bank, filling the back of his father's pick-up truck outside a local grocery store. Upon delivery of the items, he spent additional time with the organization to learn about their mission and how they operate.
Fiddler-Schultz also took the lead for the Hitmen in other community outreach programs. He volunteered with HEROSHockey, a program that uses the game of hockey to teach life skills and empower at-risk youth. He also participated in the Canadian Mental Health Association's Talk Today Campaign to raise awareness regarding mental health. Western Conference - Jake Gricius (Portland Winterhawks) Gricius, a 20-year-old product of Colorado Springs, Colo., made valuable use of his final season with the Winterhawks by giving back to the community he's called home since 2016.
In the summer of 2019, Gricius reached out to an organization called Specialty Ability Training, which is a group of personal trainers who exclusively train individuals with special needs. In coordination with the owner, Ryan Lockard, Gricius organized a team trip to an assisted-living facility where players went on a tour and interacted with clients of the program. Gricius took initiative throughout the process to help integrate players and clients during the visit.
During the season, Gricius also organized for Specialty Athletic Training to attend a Winterhawks game to gain a wider perspective of athletic enrichment. Further strengthening the Winterhawks' ties to the community, Gricius has promoted positive health and inclusivity within Portland and the hockey community through the partnership.
Gricius' contributions to the local community have also included educational advancement. Volunteering at William Walker Elementary School, he has helped local students practice their reading, writing, and spelling.
Connecting with youth to provide a positive role model, Gricius has visited the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington, meeting with kid captains from the Winterhawks' Hockey Challenge program. The program raises funds through a silent auction and charity hockey game featuring top fundraisers as well as Winterhawk alumni.
Gricius can often be found donating his time to other local charities, including the Oregon Food Bank, Friends of Tress, and Union Gospel Mission to help out those in need.
Attending practices and assisting with skill building in Winterhawks Junior Hockey, Gricius has connected with youth through the sport of hockey to provide positive leadership in an athletic setting. WHL Eastern and Western Conference Humanitarians of the Year are voted upon annually by WHL General Managers and Head Coaches. The winner of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy for WHL Humanitarian of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, May 12.
The Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy for WHL Humanitarian of the Year is presented annually to the WHL player who helps to enhance the community they play in. The trophy is named in memory of former Regina Pats captain Doug Wickenheiser. Playing three seasons with his hometown Pats, Wickenheiser recorded 352 points (158G-194A) in 207 WHL regular season games. While noted for his skills on the ice, Wickenheiser was often recognized for his caring and generous nature away from the rink. The Doug Wickenheiser Arena in Regina carries on Doug's spirit of giving to this day.
Winners of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy / WHL Humanitarian of the Year (since 2000): 2018-19: Will Warm, Edmonton Oil Kings 2017-18: Ty Ronning, Vancouver Giants 2016-17: Tyler Wong, Lethbridge Hurricanes 2015-16: Tyler Wong, Lethbridge Hurricanes 2014-15: Taylor Vickerman, Tri-City Americans 2013-14: Sam Fioretti, Moose Jaw Warriors 2012-13: Cody Sylvester, Calgary Hitmen 2011-12: Taylor Vause, Swift Current Broncos 2010-11: Spencer Edwards, Moose Jaw Warriors 2009-10: Matt Fraser, Kootenay ICE 2008-09: Taylor Procyshen, Tri-City Americans 2007-08: Ashton Hewson, Prince Albert Raiders 2006-07: Kyle Moir, Swift Current Broncos 2005-06: Wacey Rabbit, Saskatoon Blades 2004-05: Colin Fraser, Red Deer Rebels 2003-04: Braydon Coburn, Portland Winterhawks 2002-03: Ryan Craig, Brandon Wheat Kings 2001-02: Brandin Cote, Spokane Chiefs 2000-01: Jim Vandermeer, Red Deer Rebels 1999-00: Chris Nielsen, Calgary Hitmen
Images from this story
 Calgary Hitmen forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz Named 2020 WHL Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year |
Western Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2020
- Winterhawks Sign Prospect Ryan McCleary - Portland Winterhawks
- NHL Central Scouting Names Two Hitmen on Final Rankings for 2020 NHL Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- Zary, Pillar, Garand in NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Kamloops Blazers
- 52 WHL Players Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - WHL
- Three T-Birds Listed on Final NHL Central Scouting 2020 Draft Rankings - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Hitmen Forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz Named 2020 WHL Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year - Calgary Hitmen
- Finley Leads Three Chiefs in Final NHL Central Scouting Rankings - Spokane Chiefs
- Five Blades Named to NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings - Saskatoon Blades
- Gauthier Included in NHL Central Scouting Final Draft Rankings - Prince George Cougars
- Western Hockey League Announces Humanitarian of the Year Nominees for Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy Presented by Kia - WHL
- Bjorklund & Svejkovsky Ranked in NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Graduation: Hayden Ostir - Swift Current Broncos
- Novak cracks Central Scouting's final rankings - Kelowna Rockets
- Four Hurricanes Listed by Central Scouting on Final Draft Rankings - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Jake Gricius Announced as WHL Western Conference Humanitarian of the Year - Portland Winterhawks
- Four Raiders Listed in NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings - Prince Albert Raiders
- Two Oil Kings Listed on NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Ryker Evans Makes Final CSS Rankings for 2020 NHL Draft - Regina Pats
- Sourdif, Shepard Crack NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings List - Vancouver Giants
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
