In Play Magazine
(TORONTO, ON) The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to announce that the City of Windsor expansion bid has been approved for the 2012-2013 season.
After reviewing the Windsor’s ownership group’s application, NBL Canada’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to bring professional basketball to the great City of Windsor.
“I’m truly excited for the City of Windsor being awarded a new professional basketball organization”, said NBL Canada President & CEO, Andre Levingston. “I know the owners, and players will do a tremendous job of supporting the community along with serving as role models for the youth of Windsor. I’m confident the city will embrace this amazing opportunity and support their club.”
With the approval of Windsor, the new organization will become the eighth team in the National Basketball League of Canada.
About the National Basketball League of Canada
Founded in 2011, the National Basketball League of Canada is the nation’s only professional basketball league.
There are seven teams - Halifax Rainmen, London Lightning, Moncton Miracles, Oshawa Power, Quebec Kebs, Saint John Mill Rats and Summerside Storm – playing in the inaugural 2011-12 season and the league is poised for continued expansion across Canada. NBL Canada is headquartered in Toronto, Ont.
NBL Canada is committed to developing the next generation of Canadian athletes and raising the excitement for and awareness of basketball throughout the country.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
OMHA Volunteer of the Year - Dean Lapierre
In Play Magazine
The Patricia Hartley Administrators Award is given in recognition of exemplary service in the field of sports administration. This award reflects the achievements of a local executive board member or volunteer staff person towards the efficient operations of an association and the betterment of hockey. Dean Lapierre of the Windsor Minor Hockey Association [WMHA] was the recipient of this year’s award. Lapierre enters his 14th year as President of the WMHA & 21st as a WMHA Board member and is a true leader in his community. He has organized an annual Christmas food and clothing drive, lead a group that had the city’s outdoor ice rinks refurbished as well as sitting on various advisory committees. Lapierre’s twenty five years of involvement in minor hockey as the more remarkable considering he has no children playing the sport. He is a dedicated volunteer with true passion and love for the sport of hockey.
In Play! would like to congratulate Dean Lapierre on his achievement!
The Patricia Hartley Administrators Award is given in recognition of exemplary service in the field of sports administration. This award reflects the achievements of a local executive board member or volunteer staff person towards the efficient operations of an association and the betterment of hockey. Dean Lapierre of the Windsor Minor Hockey Association [WMHA] was the recipient of this year’s award. Lapierre enters his 14th year as President of the WMHA & 21st as a WMHA Board member and is a true leader in his community. He has organized an annual Christmas food and clothing drive, lead a group that had the city’s outdoor ice rinks refurbished as well as sitting on various advisory committees. Lapierre’s twenty five years of involvement in minor hockey as the more remarkable considering he has no children playing the sport. He is a dedicated volunteer with true passion and love for the sport of hockey.
In Play! would like to congratulate Dean Lapierre on his achievement!
Monday, June 4, 2012
CANADIAN WHO DEDICATED HALF A CENTURY TO YOUTH HOCKEY WINS 2012 BRIDGESTONE MARK MESSIER YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
In Play Magazine
LOS ANGELES (June 4, 2012) – For fifty years, Robert “Knobby” Knudsen has been a name synonymous with youth hockey in Windsor, Ontario. For his leadership, vision and selfless dedication, he has been selected as the recipient of the 2012 Bridgestone Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award.
Knudsen, who passed away last November, was a founding member of the Windsor Minor Hockey Association. He was so devoted to the sport that he even took out a second mortgage on his own home to keep the fledgling league alive. Over the years, his love of the sport touched thousands of young hockey players in Canada, and the positive impact he has had in his community is unquestioned.
The Bridgestone Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award was created to reward youth hockey players or mentors for their leadership and contributions to youth hockey or education. Nominations for the award were received from across North America. The award, which includes a $5,000 grant from Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (Bridgestone Americas), was presented tonight by hockey legend Mark Messier before Game 3 of the Stanley
Cup® Final. The funds will be used for the continued support of the “Knobby’s Kids” program founded by Mr. Knudsen. “It is really important that individuals like Robert Knudsen be recognized for the positive impact they have had on lives of impressionable young children,” Messier said. “For that reason, I am proud to lend my name to this award. I am thrilled that ‘Knobby’s Kids’ will continue to benefit from his lifetime of dedication to youth hockey.”
Mr. Knudsen’s legacy includes being recognized not only in youth hockey but also as a volunteer in baseball and football in addition to being a member of the Windsor Hall of Fame. To honor him and his work with youth, September 20 has been designated “Knobby Knudsen” day in Windsor.
His Kids Skate for Kids program, launched nine years ago, was a skating marathon for kids to help raise money for a roof to be added to an outdoor rink at Lanspeary Park in Windsor. This event included former NHL® players Bob Probert and Bob Boughner who came out to support the cause. This program became known as “Knobby’s Kids” and grew to help raise money for kids who couldn’t afford hockey equipment, to provide them with free ice time and instruction, and to help fund “graduates” who go on to play in the Windsor Minor Hockey Association. What started out with 20 kids has grown to include over 160 kids aged 2-13 years old, and has provided free equipment to children on Native American reservations and to children in communities as far away as Russia. Mr. Knudsen viewed his formation of “Knobby’s Kids” as is greatest accomplishment.
His tireless fundraising, coaching and organizing paved the way for thousands of kids to play hockey. The Windsor Minor Hockey Association and WESPY both have volunteer awards named for Mr. Knudsen, “The one quote my dad always said and firmly believed in was ‘kids in sports stay out of courts,’” said Robert Knudsen Jr. “And it meant the world to him to know that he was important in the life of a child. Our
community, both in Windsor and the youth hockey community, lost a legend last November when my father passed, but this award will help make sure his memory will live forever. It is truly a fitting tribute to his legacy.”
“Congratulations to the Knudsen family and to the memory of Knobby Knudsen, a truly deserving honoree who had an enormous impact on the community he lived in,” said Phil Pacsi, Vice President, Customer Marketing and Training, Bridgestone Americas. “While Mr. Knudsen could not be here with us, we are grateful to have the chance to celebrate the life of someone who gave so much of themselves in order for Canadian youth hockey to thrive.”
LOS ANGELES (June 4, 2012) – For fifty years, Robert “Knobby” Knudsen has been a name synonymous with youth hockey in Windsor, Ontario. For his leadership, vision and selfless dedication, he has been selected as the recipient of the 2012 Bridgestone Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award.
Knudsen, who passed away last November, was a founding member of the Windsor Minor Hockey Association. He was so devoted to the sport that he even took out a second mortgage on his own home to keep the fledgling league alive. Over the years, his love of the sport touched thousands of young hockey players in Canada, and the positive impact he has had in his community is unquestioned.
The Bridgestone Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award was created to reward youth hockey players or mentors for their leadership and contributions to youth hockey or education. Nominations for the award were received from across North America. The award, which includes a $5,000 grant from Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (Bridgestone Americas), was presented tonight by hockey legend Mark Messier before Game 3 of the Stanley
Cup® Final. The funds will be used for the continued support of the “Knobby’s Kids” program founded by Mr. Knudsen. “It is really important that individuals like Robert Knudsen be recognized for the positive impact they have had on lives of impressionable young children,” Messier said. “For that reason, I am proud to lend my name to this award. I am thrilled that ‘Knobby’s Kids’ will continue to benefit from his lifetime of dedication to youth hockey.”
Mr. Knudsen’s legacy includes being recognized not only in youth hockey but also as a volunteer in baseball and football in addition to being a member of the Windsor Hall of Fame. To honor him and his work with youth, September 20 has been designated “Knobby Knudsen” day in Windsor.
His Kids Skate for Kids program, launched nine years ago, was a skating marathon for kids to help raise money for a roof to be added to an outdoor rink at Lanspeary Park in Windsor. This event included former NHL® players Bob Probert and Bob Boughner who came out to support the cause. This program became known as “Knobby’s Kids” and grew to help raise money for kids who couldn’t afford hockey equipment, to provide them with free ice time and instruction, and to help fund “graduates” who go on to play in the Windsor Minor Hockey Association. What started out with 20 kids has grown to include over 160 kids aged 2-13 years old, and has provided free equipment to children on Native American reservations and to children in communities as far away as Russia. Mr. Knudsen viewed his formation of “Knobby’s Kids” as is greatest accomplishment.
His tireless fundraising, coaching and organizing paved the way for thousands of kids to play hockey. The Windsor Minor Hockey Association and WESPY both have volunteer awards named for Mr. Knudsen, “The one quote my dad always said and firmly believed in was ‘kids in sports stay out of courts,’” said Robert Knudsen Jr. “And it meant the world to him to know that he was important in the life of a child. Our
community, both in Windsor and the youth hockey community, lost a legend last November when my father passed, but this award will help make sure his memory will live forever. It is truly a fitting tribute to his legacy.”
“Congratulations to the Knudsen family and to the memory of Knobby Knudsen, a truly deserving honoree who had an enormous impact on the community he lived in,” said Phil Pacsi, Vice President, Customer Marketing and Training, Bridgestone Americas. “While Mr. Knudsen could not be here with us, we are grateful to have the chance to celebrate the life of someone who gave so much of themselves in order for Canadian youth hockey to thrive.”
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