MHL Wraps up Successful AGM and Draft in Yarmouth

Press Release

The Maritime Junior Hockey League and Premier sponsor Kent wrapped up a very successful 2012 Annual General Meeting and Draft Weekend in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on Saturday afternoon. The league AGM highlighted several positive steps forward for the league, both in terms of the successes of 2011-12 and also in terms of a remarkable year of firsts to come next season. The draft offered an exciting event for the many Yarmouth fans in attendance and opened with the handing out of several key awards. Finally, it was announced that Kent has agreed to a new two year commitment as Title Sponsor of the MHL.

Awards were given for Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year and the MHL “Builders Award” was also announced. Coach of the Year went to Laurie Barron of the Yarmouth Mariners to the delight of dozens of Mariners fans in attendance. Barron led his team to a Bent Division Championship in 2011-12 and nearly earned Yarmouth a Kent Cup title by taking the Woodstock Slammers to a triple overtime game seven.

“This is a team award”, said Barron shortly after the Draft. “From ownership, to the work of my assistants Timothy Garden-Cole and John Murphy, to the players and all of our support staff, we all share it.

Executive of the Year went to the Amherst Ramblers. The Ramblers, who underwent a number of organizational changes and challenges over the past two seasons iced an excellent team in 2011-12 and enjoyed a resurgence of support in their community. Following a successful regular season, Amherst turned in an excellent playoff run going to seven games with the Yarmouth Mariners in the Bent final.

“It was a great honour for the organization”, said Ramblers GM and Head Coach Jim Bottomley. “This organization came a long way from the previous year. The Executive did a tremendous job fundraising and keeping things together. It’s a true community operated team and many people worked hard to produce a competitive product. The result was a successful season followed by a great playoff  run.

The MHL Builders Award was also given out. The Builders Award was created in 2010 to recognize league members who have made exceptional contributions toward the growth and overall well-being of the MHL. This year’s award was presented in memory of Rory Beck, a long-time friend and contributor to the MHL who passed away suddenly in the Spring.

Rory’s Son Luke, who was a player with the Charlottetown Abbies during his Father’s time in the league, accepted the award on Rory’s behalf. “On behalf of the Beck family we are honoured to accept this award from the MHL and its member teams. If it were my Dad receiving it, he probably wouldn’t say very much, but I know he would be quite proud. He had a strong passion for the league and for moving it forward and he would have been very pleased with this award.”

Moving to highlights of the AGM, a key announcement was made that Title Sponsor Kent would maintain their current sponsorship for an additional two seasons. “We are very excited and grateful to have Kent back on board for two more years”, said MHL President Derryl Smith. “Their support each season has meant a great deal and they are a major contributor to the overall growth and success of the MHL in each of its markets”.

A key discussion at this year’s AGM focused on the successes of the past season and the many opportunities that await the MHL in 2012-13. The league’s fan base and profile increased greatly as the parity amongst teams continued. The quality of play continues to improve and this was clearly demonstrated by the Woodstock Slammers who won an Eastern Canadian Championship and came very close to winning a National title. This success puts the MHL in a greater spotlight for the upcoming season.

In speaking of the upcoming season, MHL Chairman of the Board of Governors John Lynn explains that 2012-13 marks a notable time in history for the MHL. “”Next season marks a set of unique circumstances”, he said. “For the first time in Junior A history, the MHL will play host to four major events as Yarmouth hosts the World Junior A Challenge and NHL Prospects Game, the Truro Bearcats host the Fred Page Cup and the Summerside Western Capitals host the Royal Bank Cup”.

“All eyes will be on the MHL next season as we embrace this wonderful opportunity to further demonstrate the quality of the league.”

Click here for draft selections by round.


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