Thursday, September 16, 2010

OHL Partners with OMHA to Present AAA Showcase Events

Press Release

RICHMOND HILL, Ontario – The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) is pleased to announce two OMHA Showcase events featuring twenty-three Minor Midget AAA teams competing during regular season play. These events are meant to showcase the highest level of OMHA Minor Midget hockey players in a safe and fair event that will feature educational information for players and parents.

Partners include Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Guelph Storm, Guelph Gryphons, Pro Hockey Life and Rogers TV.

Dates and venues are:
Eastern AAA League: December 3-5 / Nottawasaga Resort, Alliston
South Central AAA League: January 28-30 / University of Guelph, Guelph

The Minor Midget age category is the OHL-draft eligible year where players will learn about opportunities in the OHL and University hockey.

“Profiling our AAA athletes in at the Showcase events is an excellent way for scouts and universities to see all players,” stated OMHA President Wayne Pries. “The OMHA is proud of every player and wants to do the best job possible to support them and their families by hosting such events as this.”

“The Ontario Hockey League offers student-athletes the best of both worlds when it comes to on ice development and opportunities in education,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “We look forward to the opportunity to meet so many of the OMHA’s great student-athletes and future stars of the OHL at these events.”

"Ontario University Athletics has a shared interest with the Ontario Hockey League in helping prepare their student-athletes for life after their junior playing careers. We hope that the inaugural OMHA Showcase is the first of many opportunities for hockey fans to celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional student-athletes in both leagues," explained OUA Executive Director Ward Dilse.

Recent OMHA AAA Graduates include Corey Perry [Anaheim Ducks], Josh Bailey [2008 9th Overall NHL Draft Pick], Steven Stamkos [2008 1st Pick NHL Draft], Cody Hodgson [10th Overall NHL Draft Pick], Michael Del Zotto [2008 20th Overall Pick NHL Draft, Cameron Gaunce [2008 50th Overall Draft Pick] and Matt Duchene (2009 3rd Overall Pick NHL Draft).

About the Ontario Minor Hockey Association
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association, founded in 1935, is the largest minor hockey association in the world and oversees a participant base of 300,000 consisting of players, coaches, trainers, officials, hockey volunteers and parents across the province. The OMHA has 250 active member minor hockey associations and annually coordinates 45 leagues and approximately 600 development clinics throughout Ontario. For more information, visit www.omha.net.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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