Thursday, March 7, 2013

FEAVER NAMED HUMANITARIAN-OF-THE-YEAR

Press Release

The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Tyler Feaver (pictured left with Tori Lacey - photo credits - Graeme Reid & Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) of the Whitby Fury has been named the 2012-13 recipient of the OJHL Humanitarian-of-the-Year Award.

The 19-year old goaltender is currently in his second season with his hometown Fury.  Feaver is a typical high school student in most aspects of his life, except for one; as he has taken on an extra responsibility that many adults would not be able to handle in their day-to-day life.

Tori Lacey is also a high school student and began attending Sinclair Secondary School in Whitby during September of 2011, making the nerve-racking jump from grade eight to grade nine.  This move was made even more ominous by the fact that Tori was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a deadly neuromuscular disease that destroys the nerve cells that control the body's muscles.  In its most severe form, the disease often leads to death by age two, but in the longer term chronic forms, children are often wheelchair bound for life.  Already having lived well past her life expectancy, Tori needed extra assistance if she was going to be able to enjoy the academic opportunities.

For the past two years, Tyler Feaver has been that person.  Leaving extra early every morning, he picks Tori up at home and makes the trip to school, taking care to go slowly and avoid large bumps or sudden stops that can cause her serious issues.  After dealing with parents that have often parked in the only handicap accessible parking spot, Tyler ensures that Tori gets settled in for the day with her educational assistant.  He repeats that routine four times every single day; taking her home for lunch (as it can be a risky undertaking on its own) and then returning to school for the afternoon, before taking her home and heading to practice.  Not only has Tyler taken on this immense responsibility, but he has made it a priority in his life, ahead of time with his friends.

As if his daily care for Tori wasn't enough, Tyler also regularly volunteers his time in fundraising efforts for the fightSMA Canada organization, assisting with the annual charity dinner and the run to fightSMA.

On the ice, the 5'11", 165 lbs. netminder started his second season in Whitby after finishing fourth in the OJHL during 2011-12 with a 2.24 goals against average and leading the Fury to a South-East Conference championship, ultimately finishing as OJHL Finalist to the Stouffville Spirit.  This season, Feaver would play 42 games, sixth most in the OJHL and 20 more than last season, while finishing tenth overall with a 2.68 goals against average to lead Whitby to fourth place in the North-East Conference and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

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.

Josh Timpano of the Trenton Golden Hawks is runner-up in the OJHL award selection to Feaver.  The 20-year old native of Orillia, Ontario was the Golden Hawks' captain this past season and was heavily involved in community initiatives during his first season in Trenton.  Timpano's volunteer efforts include assisting with the local Lion's Club, the Food Bank, Minor Hockey, Military Family Initiatives, the Batawa Funfest, Trenton Winterfest, Town Halloween Party, Remembrance Day Memorial and Golden Hawks Hockey Schools.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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