Ten recipients were announced for the first Brady Grasdal Memorial Scholarship this summer.
The initial list was announced in a Facebook group for a golf tournament honouring Brady, with some familiar faces to Portage among them.
Portage's Tyson Chandler, along with Portage Terriers last season, Ryan Velan and Tristan Gravenor were named on the list.
Brady Grasdal's mother, Amber Grasdal, and his cousin, Melissa Marzolf, discussed the selection process.
"I think young players, like Ty, have an amazing heart, and have the same traits as Brady did, as well. The heart, the love, the passion for the game; on and off the ice, doing everything you can. And just motivating everybody. All of them meant the world to be able to do this, but Ty was Brady's billet brother, and it was very emotional for us, as well."
Tyson Chandler
As Grasdal's billet brother for three seasons, Chandler has a special connection to the family. He describes Grasdal and their friendship during those years.
"He was just full of life, someone you wanted to be around. He was someone you could go to, and that's what I did probably every day for the three years when he was with us. So, it was a blast."
When Chandler heard about the scholarship, he immediately decided to put his name forward.
"I was just like, really nervous and emotional at the same time because I knew I needed to win it. I set my heart on that," he continues. "I was actually on my way home from a baseball tournament, and she (Grasdal's mother, Amber) called me. It's really, really emotional because just the bond between all of us together was, and is, really huge."
Tristan Gravenor
Tristan Gravenor spent his rookie year of junior hockey in Portage with the Terriers this past winter. He shares how the process began for him.
"During the season. Cody Buhler sent an email to all the players about the potential scholarship that could be up for grabs, and I looked into it, and I was very interested. I was devastated when I learned of how Brady Grasdal had passed away. And as I read more into him and his values, I felt like I exemplify those values, and I feel like Brady and I lead a pretty similar lifestyle. So I decided to jump on board and write up an essay and hopefully earn the scholarship."
After submitting his essay, Gravenor notes that he received a call back about it some time later.
"After writing the essay, a few months later, I got a call from Brady's mother, Amber, who was telling me how I was one of the recipients of the Brady Grasdal Scholarship, and at that moment, I felt greatly honoured to be one of the recipients. I know how hard it must have been for Amber and her family to have gone through that process of losing such a wonderful kid. It was truly a great honour to be selected."
Gravenor says he hopes to put the funds toward a college hockey career, but as of yet, he doesn't have any set plans for where.
Ryan Velan
Ryan Velan also spent last season with the Terriers, tending the net for 23 regular season games and three postseason games.
He shares what it means to him to receive the scholarship as well.
"It's a great honor to be nominated and win that scholarship. And it's just it was awesome to be seen as someone like Brady Grasdal, who everyone knows how to great passion for hockey and life and a great spirit."
Velan adds that while he hopes to advance to the next level soon, he isn't planning to use it right away.
"My goal has always been to play college hockey, so, hopefully, I'll get a spot in fall 2026."