Veteran forward named Wichita's top pro athlete
Published on June 30, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- Thunder mainstay Jason Duda was honored at the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission Banquet last night as the 2005 Pro Athlete of the Year.
Duda enjoyed his best pro season ever in 2004-05, leading the CHL with a career-high 66 assists and 96 points in just 59 games. He continued his stellar play in the postseason, compiling four goals and a team-high 10 assists in 13 games.
A native of Sexsmith, Alberta, Duda ranks among the top eight in CHL history with 247 goals, 379 assists and 626 points in 515 games played. He is the all-time Thunder playoff leader with 42 assists, 64 points and 55 games played.
A 2005 CHL All-Star, Duda earned Oakley CHL Player of the Week honors once this past season, was named the Thunder Most Valuable Player and was one of six finalists for the 2005 CHL MVP Award. Duda, who is signed with the Thunder for the upcoming season, his 10th straight, resides in Wichita year-round with his wife, Deah.
Duda beat out former Wichita Wranglers infielder Ruben Gotay for the award. Gotay is now the starting 2nd Baseman for the Kansas City Royals. Last night's banquet, held at the Downtown Hyatt, also honored the top high school and college athletes in the Wichita area.
The culmination of the evening was the presentation of the Johnny Bench Award to the nation's top collegiate catcher. Bench, a Hall of Fame catcher with the Cincinnati Reds, presented the award to USC's Jeff Clement. Ozzie Smith, a Hall of Fame shortstop with the St. Louis Cardinals served as guest speaker.
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