Thursday, July 18, 2013

WELLINGTON DUKES TO HOST 2014 DUDLEY-HEWITT CUP

Press Release

 The selection committee made up of representatives from the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) and Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is proud to announce that the Wellington Dukes will host the 2014 Dudley-Hewitt Cup - Central Canadian Junior ‘A’ Championship from April 29 to May 3, 2014 at the Essroc Arena within the Welllington and District Community Centre.

The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a round-robin tournament competition between the league champions of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), OJHL and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL), as well as the tournament host, with the winner representing Central Canada at the RBC Cup, National Junior ‘A’ Championship.

This marks the fourth time an OHA/OJHL-based club has hosted the event since the round-robin tournament format began in 2003.  The Dukes join the Georgetown Raiders (2005), Newmarket Hurricanes (2008) and Huntsville Otters (2011) as OHA/OJHL hosts.  Wellington is also a two-time Dudley-Hewitt Cup champion, having won the event in 2003 in Fort Frances, Ontario and 2011 in Huntsville, Ontario.

Last season, the SIJHL champion Minnesota Wilderness defeated the OHA/OJHL champion St. Michael's Buzzers 4-3 in overtime of the championship game to claim the title.  Overall the OHA/OJHL has won 20 Central Region titles, including 12 of the last 18 Dudley-Hewitt Cup tournaments.

"The Wellington Dukes have consistently been one of the OJHL’s most successful franchises since joining the OJHL in 1998-99," stated OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy.  “After successfully hosting the second annual Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge last season, the Dukes organization and its tremendous volunteer base have proven themselves worthy of hosting yet another spectacular event.”

“The OHA is once again excited to be a key component of the selection and hosting effort for the Dudley-Hewitt Cup,” stated Scott Farley, OHA CEO.  “The OJHL and the Wellington Host Committee, in partnership with the OHA, will be able to showcase the best in Ontario in Junior ‘A’ Hockey.  Fans will not want to miss the excitement.”

"It is an honour for me to be a part of this storied franchise (Wellington Dukes) at this time in its glorious history," said Dukes President Michael Mulvihill.  "To be allowed to play a small role in bringing the Dudley-Hewitt Cup to Prince Edward County....I'm living the dream.  Time to get to work."

"The County of Prince Edward is thrilled to be providing the facilities for the Dudley-Hewitt Cup," said Lisa Lindsay, Prince Edward County's Manager of Community Centres and Events Marketing.  "Not only is this an opportunity to showcase our municipal arena at the Wellington and District Community Centre, but it's also an opportunity to boost community spirit while raising the profile of the Prince Edward County."

2014 Dudley-Hewitt Cup Tournament Ticket Packages are now available to all Wellington Dukes Season Ticket holders at a discounted price of $85.00 for all 8 games of the tournament.  Please contact the Dukes office at (613) 399-2292 or contact Team Executive member Betty Masterson at (613) 399-1573 for more ticket information.

Further information and announcements regarding the 2014 Dudley-Hewitt Cup will be forthcoming throughout the course of the 2013-14 season.

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

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