OJHL DEDICATES THE BRENT LADDS TROPHY

Press Release sent to the World of Junior Hockey

June 16, 2012, Windsor, Ontario – The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) announced today that it has created a new trophy to be presented annually to the Playoff Most Valuable Player and re-named the award the Brent Ladds Trophy.

The Brent Ladds Trophy was officially dedicated today at Caesars Windsor during the General Assembly of the 2012 Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Annual General Meeting in Windsor, Ontario, upon Ladds official retirement following 36 years of service to OHA Hockey. OJHL Commissioner, Marty Savoy made the official presentation to Ladds in front of the packed assembly.

“It is my extreme privilege to bestow this honour upon one of hockey’s most influential caretakers in Ontario over the past three decades,” said Savoy prior to the ceremony. “Brent Ladds tireless dedication, responsiveness to his membership and safety initiatives he has instituted through the years has made him one of the most respected members of the hockey community and well deserving of a perpetual trophy bearing his name.”

The OJHL chose this unique way to honour Ladds for his dedication to the game of hockey in Ontario, and in particular the OHA’s top-level Junior ‘A’ brand. The 61-year old native of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, joined the OHA back in 1975, initially overseeing the association’s officiating program. Four years later, Ladds was named President of the OHA and he would remain in the position until officially stepping down this weekend, a tenure of 32 years guiding the 112-year old organization.

“Upon hearing of Brent’s retirement from the OHA and the presentation ceremony that would take place at the AGM in Windsor, our immediate thought was to come up with a unique and ever-lasting tribute for a great hockey man,” stated OJHL Chairman Scott McCrory. “The Brent Ladds Trophy will ensure that this happens and our hope is that Brent will be able to assist in the presentation of the trophy bearing his name each season after our championship concludes.”

The award was designed by Frank Bordieri of Award Inc. out of Toronto, Ontario. Along with the permanent trophy that will reside on display at the OJHL Office in Mississauga when not being presented, Ladds was presented with a miniature replica of the award as a personal keepsake.

The OJHL Playoff Most Valuable Player Award was first presented following the 2010-11 OJHL Championship Series and has been awarded twice in league history:

2011 Jordan Ruby (Wellington Dukes)
2012 Drake Caggiula (Stouffville Spirit)

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