O'Brien Award
RICHARD O’BRIEN YOUTH HOCKEY AWARD
Richard (Dick) O'Brien was the driving force behind the community effort that led to the constructing of Eau Claire's ice center in 1975. He spent many hours acquiring funds and designing the facility. The main rink at the ice center, O'Brien, is named in his honor.
This ice center is now home to both high school hockey teams, UWEC hockey teams, Eau Claire Stars girl hockey, Eau Claire Youth hockey, and the Eau Claire Figure Skating Club.
Northwestern Wisconsin, as well as Eau Claire, benefited from his love for the game. He served in many community projects and coached youth hockey as well as being president of the ECYH organization in 1973. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame on September 15, 1990.
The Richard O'Brien Award was established in 1973. Current ECYH Board Members will issue this award to an individual for outstanding service and dedication to the ECYH program. The current ECYH Board President will present this award to the recipient at the annual ECYH Golf Outing in August.
Previous recipients of the O'Brien Award
2023- Jeff Schemberger
2022-John (JC) Christophersen and Mogey McDonough
2021 -Kurth Family
2020-Brian Steele
2019-John Leary
2018-Jason Plante
2017-Mike Schwengler
2016-Andy Akervik
2015-Damin Zacho
2014-John Goodale
2013-Mike Derleth
2012-Laura Schick & Pam Dillon
2011-Chuck Anger
2010-Pat Rolbeicki
2009-Joe Susa
2008-Bill Stein
2007-Mike Falch
2006-Ryan Parker & Kevin Stabenow
2005-Kevin Hickey & Marty Hickey
2004-Tim and Cathy Morris
2003-Steve and Judy Kurth
2002-Ben Golas
2001-Chris Hotchkiss & Dave Koutney
2000-Tom Kuklinski
1999-Pat and Jana Hughes family
1998-n/a
1997-Rob Fadness
1996-William "Doc" Mitchell
1995-Pete Andriacchi
1994-Fran Koller
1993-George Kumferman
1992-Mary Hanson
1991-Carol Bowe
1990-Jim Rolbiecki
1989-Mike Sullivan
1988-Connie and Tom Restad
1987-Dick Kottke
1986-Steve Anderson
1985-Jeff Harris
1984-Tom Price
1983-Denny Zacho
1982-Darryll "Porky" Madson
1981-Chet Frisch
1980-Chuck Hultman
1979-Joe Seymour
1978-Dale Madson
1977-Kay Sandborg
1976-William Mitchell
1975-Richard O'Brien
1974-C.R. Stocks Electric
1973-The Hobbs Foundation and District 1 Vocational & Technical School
2019 O'Brien Award Winner | Left to Right: Joe Koller (current board president), John Leary & John O'Brien (son of the award's namesake).