Proud to be among the inspiring hockey humanitarians in PHF play, Amy Budde is a gem for the Buffalo Beauts. With a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn, the greatest quality for this highly articulate forward is a heartfelt sincerity. Finding inspiration in her teammates, while geared towards bringing betterment to the community, her continued efforts always set a positive example.
With roots in the State of Hockey, Budde, raised in Lindstrom, Minnesota, has found a new home in Western New York. After spending her first two seasons of professional hockey in Stockholm, Sweden with SDE, Budde’s arrival in Buffalo initially helped provide depth on offense.
Making her Beauts debut on November 6, 2021 versus the Toronto Six, Budde wore her familiar number three, dating back to her NCAA years with Lake Forest College as a nationally prominent forward. As the season progressed, an additional benefit took shape. Budde became an inspiring figure in the community through her volunteer work. With the Debra A. Cresanti Memorial Award serving as Budde’s brightest legacy with the Beauts, the honor is also an extension of her values, finding importance on how one makes people feel.
Established in May 2021, the Award is dedicated to honor the memory of one of the franchise’s biggest fans. Having unexpectedly passed in February 2021, Cresanti left a lasting impression. From the kind gesture of providing snacks for road games, to a constant presence at home games, her support translated into a friendship kindly appreciated by numerous in the organization.
Fittingly, the Award not only represents a beautiful preservation of her memory, it serves to celebrate a Beauts player most actively involved in the community. Emerging as the inaugural recipient of the Award in March 2022, it marked a heartwarming achievement for Budde, having concluded her inaugural season with the Beauts.
Repeating the feat in 2023, the only Beauts skater from the last two seasons to enjoy back-to-back team awards, Budde sees the achievement as part of a more profound narrative. Recognizing that giving back to the community encompasses a collective effort, a sense of civic pride rises to the surface.
“Receiving the Debra A. Cresanti award for the second year in a row is a testament of all the work we all do in the community as a team to help make Buffalo a better place. It is special to be recognized for this honor, but I am just happy to have the opportunity to give back to the city of Buffalo as much as I can.”
Worth noting, one of Budde’s first appearances as a member of the Beauts involved baseball, quickly demonstrating an enthusiastic connection to Buffalo. With the AAA Bisons hosting the Syracuse Mets on the 20th anniversary of 9-11, an emotional event was highlighted by Military and First Response Appreciation Night.
In a great show of solidarity and unity, a jubilant Budde was joined by fellow Beauts Anjelica Diffendall, Caty Flagg, Erin Gehen and Emilie Harley at Sahlen Field, home of the Bisons. Participating in an autograph session one hour before first pitch, the experience provided a strong impression for Budde.
Featuring one of the best fanbases in professional sports, the people of Western New York hold a strong connection to their teams. Encompassing a strong sense of community and friendship, such enthusiasm is not lost on the athletes, like Budde, who proudly represent the region.
“My favorite thing about volunteering and being active in the community is my favorite thing about Buffalo — being able to see the impact on the community and the people we are all helping.
It is a community of good neighbors, and being able to work with so many amazing volunteers and non-profit organizations. I have been so lucky to get to know so many wonderful people and see real meaningful change in the communities that need help the most.”
Akin to so many other wondrous women of hockey that give back through volunteering, the rink also holds a prominent place for such heartfelt endeavors. Among Budde’s most enjoyable experiences involved gracing the ice with students from the Persistence Preparatory Academy.
Established in 2016 as a tuition free charter school, its core values including community and respect, mirror Budde’s approach to hockey and life. Taking into account that leadership development is also an essential facet of the mission for Persistence, the students seeking hockey instruction and skills development certainly have terrific role models in the likes of Budde and her fellow teammates, proud to donate their time.
Possessing a caring presence that has maintained a proud culture of friendship for an up and coming Beauts team, Budde’s positivity is a tremendous gift. With an off-ice career taking root in Buffalo, also working in Communications for a sports firm, Budde has certainly taken on the mantle of a local sports heroine. Having made numerous acquaintances through volunteering, the values of teamwork instilled on-ice has proven just as essential in her continued commitment. Finding great reward when progress takes shape locally, it runs parallel to the feeling of pride that comes from skating with the Beauts.
“Any time I get to put on a Beauts jersey and play with my teammates and represent Buffalo is special. Yet, the highlight off ice for me has to be when we help out at Persistence Prep Academy for their hockey unit. Getting to share the love of the game with kids is always such a rewarding and special experience.”
–
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated“
[adrotate group=”1″]
Related Articles
Categories
Recent Posts
[adrotate group=”2″]
