Growing up in the shadow of New York City, Roslyn native Ethan Wyttenbach enjoyed all the trappings that go with living close to the Big Apple. He had his favorite bagel place and pizza restaurant, along with easy access to watch his favorite hockey team, the N.Y. Islanders, in action. And as a long-time member of the Long Island Gulls, he didn’t have far to travel to face off against some of the top talent in the country.

All that changed when the 18-year-old forward left home for the first time and joined the Sioux Falls Stampede. On the surface, it looked like the classic fish-out-of-water situation, but Wyttenbach has made the most of the situation and found a home in South Dakota.

“At first, it was difficult getting adjusted to a different lifestyle. Obviously, South Dakota and New York are very different, and I think the biggest thing for me was it was my first time away from home, so that played a factor into it. It was definitely an adjustment for me,” he said.

“There were definitely times when you notice it and you say, ‘I wish I was home right now so I could go to my favorite bagel place,’ or whatever it is. But those little adjustments are definitely something you forget about when you start the season.”

Thankfully for Wyttenbach and the Stampede that period of adjustment was short lived as he took to his new surroundings and the level of play in the USHL very quickly and instantly became a fan favorite.

It didn’t take long for him to warm to his new home as he stepped on the ice at Denny Samford PREMIER Center for the first time with a capacity crowd of 10,000 cheering on the Stampede.

“That alone kind of makes everything, and you kind of say, ‘wow, they really support us here,’” Wyttenbach said. “I’ve grown to really love Sioux Falls, and I think my team has too.”

And South Dakota’s largest city has grown to love the talented transplant, who has not only endeared himself to the local fans through his play on the ice but also his involvement in the community.

For those things, and many more, Wyttenbach was named the recipient of the inaugural Gaudreau Award, a new honor bestowed upon the USHL player who embodies the legacy of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, the beloved brothers who were tragically killed in a bicycle accident in 2024.

He received the award during a pregame ceremony on April 12 with his family and Guy and Jane Gaudreau in attendance. Afterward, Wyttenbach was able to have dinner with the Gaudreaus, who shared stories about their late sons.

“Getting to meet them and hear the stories about their sons was really a cool moment for me,” Wyttenbach said. “Obviously, you don’t want to meet them under these circumstances, but it’s something that you’d never pass up and you’re always really lucky to get that opportunity. For me, being the recipient of the award is something that connects me with their family forever.”

Over the course of the season, Wyttenbach led the team in community service hours. In addition to being a mentor to local youth hockey players, he has spent time volunteering at Feeding South Dakota, served dinners at the St. Francis House and rung bells for The Salvation Army. He also made numerous school visits and assisted at youth practices after his own.

“Our team is big on culture and having a really strong culture within the community and being role models for the people in Sioux Falls,” he said. “I think with how well I’ve done this year, I’ve grown a pretty big following, whether it’s been kids who come to the games or fans of the team where I’ve been looked up to. 

“That’s a huge honor and a huge responsibility that comes along with it. I’m trying my best to be a good role model and be a good person in the community.”
 

On the ice, Wyttenbach was second in scoring with the Stampede, and his 51 points in 44 games ranked him fourth among USHL rookies. All this despite missing 16 games with a lower body injury.

He credits his fast start and ability to easily adapt to the quicker pace of play against bigger and older opponents to his time with the Gulls. Wyttenbach was on skates by the time he was 3 years old and joined the Gulls organization when he was 6. Over the years he has remained loyal to the program that gave him his start and helped him develop into the player he is today.

Under the tutelage of head coach Vinnie Smith, who he still talks to almost every day, Wyttenbach excelled in the Gulls run-and-gun style of play, where offensive creativity and defensive discipline have become hallmarks of one of the premier youth hockey programs in the country.

“I don’t think I’d be where I am without the Gulls. I’m the rare case where I played for them for nine years, so I grew up a Gull,” said Wyttenbach, who joined the Gulls in Amherst to cheer on the 16 & Under team to another state championship. 

“The last two years with the Gulls, specifically, with the daily schedule and the daily regimen that we do there is so similar to what we do here in Sioux Falls. When I got here it was something that was super normal to me to where I felt that I had an edge on some of my teammates who first had to learn that type of schedule.”

Once the puck dropped on the season, Wyttenbach made the transition look easy as he registered points in 11 of his first 12 games. 

“Before I got here, everyone was saying how big of a jump it is and how much of a difference there is speed wise and skill wise,” said Wyttenbach, who has already committed to returning for another season in Sioux Falls. 

“I might be the rare case where I didn’t notice that much of a difference in those areas. I felt speed wise, skill wise, it was just another day, just another game. I know that’s probably not normal, but for me it was a really seamless transition in that area.” 

With another year of USHL seasoning soon to be under his belt, Wyttenbach is already looking forward to moving up to the college ranks. He has already committed to play at Quinnipiac University, which will be an easier commute for family and friends to watch him play. And based on how well things have gone so far, he is confident he can make the jump to the next level and help the Bobcats maintain their spot among the preeminent college programs in the country.

“They’re always in the tournament, which is something I really look for when picking a school. I just want to be in an environment where every day you show up to the rink and you have the mindset that you’re going to win,” Wyttenbach said.

“The biggest thing for me is just how competitive I am and how much I want to win. I know that when I get there, I’m going to be a big piece and an impact player for them.”

Based on the success he’s had so far on and off the ice, it’s a safe bet that he’ll be proven right.