NEWS

(pictured - OJHL Manager of Hockey Operations Brent Garbutt was presented with the first-ever OJHL Chairman's Award for going above & beyond the call of duty this past weekend - photo credit:  Andy Corneau/OJHL Images)

The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Annual General Meeting wrapped up this past weekend with the institution of the OJHL Chairman's Award, as well as the addition of a Conference Showcase Weekend to the existing Governors' Showcase.

The highlight of this year's Annual General Meeting was the introduction of a brand-new award, the OJHL Chairman's Award, and the announcement of the first-ever recipient.  OJHL Manager of Hockey Operations Brent Garbutt was presented with the honour this past weekend by OJHL Chairman of the Board Scott McCrory.

Above and beyond his normal day-to-day responsibilities of overseeing all aspects of the league’s hockey operations department, Garbutt was named the Director of Hockey Operations of Team Canada East for the 2014 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge that was held in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.  The excitement and thrill of representing his country disappeared instantly, however, when Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) forward Neil Doef suffered a serious injury.  Doef would be transported to a Saskatoon hospital and was accompanied by Garbutt.  Garbutt remained at Doef’s side until his family was able to arrive in Saskatoon, doing everything he could to assist in a terrible situation.

“It is with great pleasure that we (Board of Governors) honoured Brent with this newly created and prestigious award,” said McCrory.  “Brent went above-and-beyond the call of duty under strenuous circumstances while in Kindersley and we could not be more proud of how this young man handled himself.  This award represents another way to recognize the significant contributions that are made by many individuals involved in, and around, the OJHL.”

The OJHL Chairman's Award will be awarded to an individual who demonstrates the core values of the OJHL - Integrity, Professionalism, Sportsmanship, Personal Growth, and who has gone above and beyond the normal course of responsibilities for the betterment of the OJHL and the game of hockey.  

Anyone who is either directly or indirectly associated with the OJHL, Hockey Canada, CJHL, OHF, OHA or as deemed worthy by the current OJHL Chairman of the Board.  The award may not be awarded annually, but only when the Chairman deems it worthy.  There will be no more than one recipient each year and it will be presented at the annual OJHL Annual General Meeting.

Also announced this past weekend was a motion to add a set of Conference Showcase Weekends, in addition to the annual Governors' Showcase.  Both the North-East Conference and South-West Conference will host a showcase in January providing additional opportunities for scouts to view the league's up-and-coming talent.

Further to the second showcase announcement, the OJHL also announced the 2015 Governors' Showcase Weekend will be hosted from September 25-27, 2015 by the Buffalo Jr. Sabres at the brand-new, state-of-the-art, Harbor Center.  This marks the first time in OJHL history that the league has hosted the annual showcase weekend in the U.S. and with the recent rave reviews given the facility during the NHL Combine, the event is sure to be extremely successful.

“The Board of Governors continue to recognize new and unique ways to move the growth of our league forward,” said OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy.  “Adding a second set of showcase games, allows yet another opportunity for scouts to see potential future recruits in action.  We are also extremely proud to showcase the league’s newest facility during our annual Governors’ Showcase this October and look forward to working closely with the Jr. Sabres to make it a first-class event.”