Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League hosted its annual Awards Ceremony today at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Wednesday. In addition to the awards that were previously announced, the OHL presented its Executive of the Year Award to Denise Burke, President of the Niagara IceDogs.
On June 6, 2007 the Ontario Hockey League approved the sale of the Mississauga IceDogs to Bill and Denise Burke and granted the move of the team to the Niagara Region for the 2007-08 season. With less than three months before the start of their inaugural season in St. Catharines, the Burkes went to work on necessities for success like corporate sponsorship, season tickets, ticket systems, logo, billets, schools, dressing room and player facilities, arena agreement and countless other items. Denise was the key figure in making sure the business side of the IceDogs was ready for the start of the season in September.
During the season, the IceDogs attracted outstanding support from the community from a corporate and ticket-buying standpoint. They enjoyed a string of sell-out games to conclude the regular season. In March, the Burkes were honoured by their community with the Rex Stimers Trophy as Sportspersons of the Year for 2007 in St. Catharines.
The OHL’s Executive of the Year Award is presented annually by the OHL Executive Council to the executive whose team demonstrates success both on the ice and at the administration level through excellent organization and franchise success.
Past winners include Craig Goslin of the Saginaw Spirit, Sherwood Bassin of the Erie Otters, Jeff Hunt of the Ottawa 67’s and Mark Hunter of the London Knights.
2007-08 Ontario Hockey League Award Winners
OHL Executive of the Year Denise Burke, Niagara IceDogs
Dave Pinkney Trophy Kyle Gajewski & Bryce O’Hagan, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
F.W. Dinty Moore Trophy Josh Unice, Kitchener Rangers
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy John Hughes, Brampton Battalion
Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Michael Swift, Niagara IceDogs
Goaltender of the Year Mike Murphy, Belleville Bulls
Dan Snyder Humanitarian of the Year Peter Stevens, Kingston Frontenacs
William Hanley Trophy Nick Spaling, Kitchener Rangers
Bobby Smith Trophy Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
Ivan Tennant Memorial Award Alex Friesen, Niagara IceDogs
Roger Neilson Memorial Award Scott Aarssen, London Knights
Matt Leyden Trophy Bob Boughner, Windsor Spitfires
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Justin Azevedo, Kitchener Rangers
Emms Family Award Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
Max Kaminsky Trophy Drew Doughty, Guelph Storm
Red Tilson Trophy Justin Azevedo, Kitchener Rangers
Jack Ferguson Award John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves
Bill Long Award (previously presented) Don Brankley, London Knights, Gil Hughes, Oshawa Generals
