Friday, February 24, 2012

DINEEN NAMED HUMANITARIAN-OF-THE-YEAR

Press Release

The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Matt Dineen (photo credit - Graeme Reid/Newmarket Hurricanes) of the Newmarket Hurricanes has been named the inaugural recipient of the OJHL Humanitarian-of-the-Year Award.

Matt Dineen is the 20-year old captain of the Hurricanes playing in his fourth full OJHL season. Throughout his four years of representing his hometown Junior ‘A’ club, the reliable defenceman has been the embodiment of a leader both on and off the ice for the team, never turning down a request to assist within his community.

When Hurricanes management and staff ask for players to represent the club at various extra-curricular off-ice functions, Dineen has always been one of the first in line to volunteer his services and his off-ice endeavours include school visits, community living events, minor hockey requests, team sponsorship functions and charitable efforts.

Dineen’s list of deeds includes public speaking at schools, minor hockey practices/events and television as a spokesperson for the Hurricanes Tobacco Free program; among other subjects. He also assists special needs groups during community living events, often being recognized at the rink by people from those groups and he never refuses a request for a quick chat, an autograph or a picture. The community role model can also be found assisting at minor hockey practices and games or representing the Hurricanes at sponsor functions and the local Santa Claus parade.

On the ice, the 6’1”, 185 lbs. rearguard has been a rock on the blueline for the Hurricanes during the club’s constant progression the past four seasons, including an OJHL regular season title last year. A steadying influence on the club’s back-end, Dineen has posted similar stats each of the past three seasons, including 22 points and a team-high 11 power play assists this year.

The OJHL Humanitarian of the Year is awarded to the player adjudged to have made the most notable
contribution to his community in a humanitarian sense, including, but not limited to charitable work, school
visits and extra-curricular off-ice activities.

Adam Shibuya of the Toronto Junior Canadiens is runner-up in the OJHL award balloting to Dineen. The 18-year old native of Toronto, Ontario played in his first full OJHL season and his off-ice endeavours include numerous hours spent volunteering at the Geneva Centre for Autism, as well as many community events for the Junior Canadiens.

The inaugural OJHL Trainer and Executive of the Year Award recipients will be announced next week.

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

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