INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - The Missouri Mavericks, in conjunction with the Central Hockey League (CHL), announced Tuesday Mavericks' forward Simon Watson has been named the CHL's Man of the Year. The CHL Man of the Year award is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community'."We couldn't be more proud of Simon Watson," said Mavericks' President and General Manager Brent Thiessen. "He has done so much for this organization from day one; we have been extremely proud of him and all of his efforts. It's a tremendous honor for Simon and really speaks to everything he has done for the community and the Mavericks."
Watson, an original member of the Mavericks and fifth-year pro, has been a standout member of the Mavericks and the face of the team's community endeavors. He has represented the Mavericks in numerous community events including the Junior Mavericks Youth Hockey Program, Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, Spofford House, Ryan Christian Love Fund and many more.
Simon is an honest, humble, caring person that truly understands his importance in the community and the impact a professional athlete can have on others.
"I believe Simon Watson encapsulates everything the Man of the Year stands for," said Mavericks' Coach Scott Hillman, recipient of the CHL's Man of the Year Award in 2002. "Simon is one of the most respected players in our locker room and a true leader off of the ice for team. He is a community first and team first kind of player. He does nothing to try to boast Simon Watson and everything to raise the level of this organization in the community on and off of the ice. We are so thankful for all he does as a member of our community and are so proud to call him one of the original Missouri Mavericks."
Watson's dedication to growing the sport of hockey in Independence through the Junior Mavericks is one of the many endeavors the 30-year old has focused a lot of energy toward. He has taught the young athletes not only the skills of the game, but more importantly, the traits of respect and sportsmanship.
"It is the belief of everyone who comes into contact with Simon that he exemplifies what the CHL Man of the Year award embodies," added Susan Johnston, parent of a Jr. Maverick. "Simon Watson represents not only the Missouri Mavericks, Independence Missouri but the CHL in his dedication and diligence to being an integral part of the Eastern Jackson County community and his all-encompassing passion for the game of hockey and the future of hockey in the next generation of athletes."
Another impressive accomplishment and one that truly shows the type of person Simon is was the Ryan Christian Love Fund Bowling Tournament he held this past off-season. Simon almost single-handedly arranged the event for Ryan Christian, daughter of former Mavericks' player, Jeff Christian. Ryan was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and Simon wanted to do something for Ryan and her family. Simon made all of the arrangements with the bowling alley, and he recruited all of the sponsors and players in the tournament. He, along with the help of his wife, Samantha, also secured all of the silent auction items for the event. He did it to help a teammate and his daughter who were going through the toughest time of their lives. In the end, the event raised over $10,000 for the Ryan Christian Love Fund and directly helped with the rising medical expenses for the Christians.
On the ice, Watson has been a steady player accumulating 218 points (94-124218) in 296 career CHL games. He has played with Lubbock and Rocky Mountain, along with the Mavericks.
CHL Man of the Year (previous winners, since 2001)
2010-11 - Simon Watson (Missouri)
2009-10 - Justin Quenneville (Corpus Christi)
2008-09 - Austin Sutter (Amarillo)
2007-08 - Stacey Bauman (Oklahoma City)
2006-07 - Riley Nelson (Colorado)
2005-06 - Paul Fioroni (Lubbock)
2004-05 - Paul Fioroni (Lubbock)
2003-04 - Don Parsons (Memphis)
2002-03 - Anthony Donskov (Lubbock)
2001-02 - Scott Hillman (Odessa)
Missouri wraps up their home schedule for the 2010-11 regular season tonight when they face the Wichita Thunder at 7:05 pm at Independence Events Center. The Mavericks will wrap up the regular season with two games in south Texas against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Friday Night and Laredo Bucks on Saturday, March 26.
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• Komets Assigned Defenseman Matt Krug - Fort Wayne Komets
• Tons of Fun on Friday from the Brahmas - Texas Brahmas
• Mavericks' Simon Watson Named CHL Man of the Year - Missouri Mavericks
• Missouri's Simon Watson Named CHL Man of the Year - CHL
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