Des Moines Buccaneers star Blake Zielinski has been named the second recipient of The Gaudreau Award in the USHL, awarded annually to the player in the league that best embodies the spirit of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
The award's criteria includes excellence in hockey, spirit of the game and the player's care and responsibility off the ice.
Both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who died tragically in 2024, were proud sons of the state of New Jersey. Zielinski, who is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, is a native of Berlin, N.J.
Blake Zielinski is your 2026 Gaudreau Award recipient.
— USHL (@USHL) April 4, 2026
Recognizing excellence in hockey, character, and the spirit of the game. #USHLhttps://t.co/wOyhThQ7Tc pic.twitter.com/XtR4y43UKw
It has been a strong season for Zielinski, who came into the year with high expectations following an impressive rookie campaign after joining Des Moines early last season.
Zielinski has averaged over a point per game heading into the final night of the regular-season with 53 points in 52 games including 25 goals. The Bucs earned a playoff spot for the first time since 2023.
Off the ice, Zielinski has volunteered packaging food at Meals from the Heartland, assisted at the Food Bank of Iowa, the Des Moines Children’s Museum and AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport. The pet rescue even named one of its dogs after him.
Amid a changing landscape in junior and college hockey, Zielinski made the decision to stick with Des Moines for his all-important draft season while preparing to embark on a collegiate career at Providence.
“Despite his elite talent, Blake competes with humility and respect for the game,” said Bucaneers head coach Derek Damon in a statement. “He understands that success is built through team effort and he consistently uses his ability to not just stand pit, but to left the performance and confidence of everyone around him.”
Zielinski is projected to be a mid-round draft pick this June, ranked 56th by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters.
In addition to his season with Des Moines, Zielinski also took part in multiple international tournaments. He helped the U.S. win the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup for the first time since 2003 with nine points in five games in August. He also helped Team USA win the World Junior A Challenge with four points in five games. Zielinski also played with Team USA at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, which the U.S. won.
Zielinski joins Ethan Wyttenbach as Gaudreau Award winners. Wyttenbach, who was selected in the fifth round by the Calgary Flames – the same team that selected Johnny Gaudreau originally – went on to lead the NCAA in scoring this season at Quinnipiac University.
Zielinski and the Buccaneers will close out the 2025-26 regular season on home ice Saturday against the Sioux City Musketeers.
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