RICHMOND HILL, Ontario – The 2008-2009 season marked the 75th anniversary of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).  It was celebrated through a series of special events, recognition programs, commemorative merchandise and memorabilia.  It focused on our proud past, current state and exciting future.

As part of the 75th Anniversary season celebration, the OMHA launched a search for the All-Time OMHA Great Team.  The poll consisted of choices from groups of forwards, defensemen, goaltenders, on-ice officials, coaches and executives.  The OMHA All-Time Great Team was officially announced during the OMHA Annual General Meeting weekend on June 12th and 13th.

Leading vote-getters are:

Forwards
Wayne Gretzky, Brantford
Doug Gilmour, Kingston
Syl Apps, Paris

Defense
Bobby Orr, Parry Sound
Rob Blake, Simcoe

Goalie
Curtis Joseph, Keswick

Coach
Roger Neilson, Peterborough

Officials
Ray Scapinello, Guelph
Kerry Fraser, Sarnia
Bill McCreary, Guelph

Executive
Jim Rutherford, Beeton

Each person named in the All-Time Great Poll was chosen based on at least two of the following criteria:
·         Played in the OMHA at one point during their minor hockey
·         Was part of a Committee or Advisory Role with the OMHA in some fashion
·         Was a part of the National Hockey League
·         Their Hometown is a current OMHA Member Association

The OMHA worked with the NHL Alumni, NHLPA, NHL and Hockey Hall of Fame on a special recognition program for these recipients.  This includes a donation by the NHLPA Goals and Dreams Fund of five sets of hockey equipment to less fortunate players in the All-Time Great’s hometown, and a special banner presentation in the All-Time Great’s hometown.

To learn more please contact:

Kevin Boston, Ontario Minor Hockey Association
P: (905) 780-2174
E-mail: kboston@omha.net

About the Ontario Minor Hockey Association
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association, founded in 1935, is the largest minor hockey association in the world and oversees a participant base of 300,000 consisting of players, coaches, trainers, officials, hockey volunteers and parents across the province. The OMHA has 260 active member minor hockey associations and annually coordinates 31 leagues and approximately 600 development clinics throughout Ontario.  For more information, visit www.omha.net.

Tags: all-time omha great team, bill mccreary, bobby orr, Curtis Joseph, doug gilmour, jim rutherford, kerry fraser, omha, ontario minor hockey association, ray scapinello, rob blake, roger neilson, syl apps, wayne gretzky

This entry was posted on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 4:19 pm and is filed under Wayne's World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.