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North Bay Battalion

Paul Honoured as Leading Humanitarian

May 28, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


NORTH BAY, Ont. - Nick Paul of the North Bay Battalion is the winner of the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as the Ontario Hockey League's Humanitarian of the Year for 2014-15, the league announced Thursday.

Paul, who played centre and left wing in three seasons with the Battalion, including the last two in North Bay, initiated the 'Points for Paul' campaign with representatives of the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation last fall.

"First of all, I would like to say thank you for the recognition; it's a true honour," said Paul, a Mississauga resident who turned 20 on March 20.

"What's really rewarding is making a difference and raising awareness because the topic of mental health is becoming more and more prominent in today's society. I am passionate about the cause because of past experiences involving people close to me, and seeing the results and feedback from people has really made it all worth it. I want to thank everyone who has helped and supported me in making all of this possible."

Paul, who lost a close friend to suicide, sought to make a difference in the mental health of young persons. The 'Points for Paul' program, which garnered money for each scoring point he earned this season, a total of 66 on 37 goals and 29 assists in 58 games, raised more than $7,000 for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit.

A two-time Battalion nominee for the award, Paul also made numerous public appearances related to minor sports, elementary schools and fundraising programs, including the Alzheimer Society and the Coach4Food program.

"Nick's initiative has created a groundswell of awareness, publicity and support to the CAMHU," said Tammy Morison, president of the NBRHC Foundation. "Nick is a role model for youth in North Bay, and his efforts will have a lasting impact on the care available for children in our community. It has been my pleasure to get to know Nick and help him achieve his goal of helping youth in his community."

Said Battalion owner Scott Abbott: "Nick felt a close connection to the 'Points for Paul' cause and did a fabulous job in setting up and supporting the endeavour. It was an extremely busy and productive season for him, but his commitment to humanitarian work was complete and tireless. He was a true inspiration to countless people."

Stan Butler, director of hockey operations and head coach, expressed his pleasure with the award decision.

"Nick embodies all of the qualities this award celebrates and we are pleased to congratulate him on being named the OHL Humanitarian of the Year. Throughout his OHL career, he has been a tremendous ambassador for our hockey club and we are proud to see him recognized for his contributions not only on the ice but also in our community."

Paul was overlooked in his first year of eligibility for the OHL Priority Selection before the Battalion, then based in Brampton, chose him in the fifth round of the 2012 process from the Mississauga Reps major midgets.

In 191 games over three seasons, he scored 75 goals and earned 65 assists for 140 points with 109 penalty minutes. In 42 career playoff games, he had 19 goals and 15 assists for 34 points.

A fourth-round pick of the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars in the 2013 NHL Draft, Paul signed a three-year entry-level contract last Dec. 20 with the Ottawa Senators, who acquired his rights in a July 1 trade that saw former Battalion centre Jason Spezza sent to Dallas.

Paul scored three goals in seven games for the Canadian national junior team in helping it claim the title at the 2015 World Junior Championship played at Montreal and Toronto.

He's the first player in Battalion franchise history to earn the OHL's humanitarian award. Defenceman Brad Brown of the North Bay Centennials was so honoured in 1994-95. Left winger Scott Simmonds of the Belleville Bulls was the recipient last year.

The Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy goes to the player who best demonstrates outstanding qualities as a role model in his community. The award was named in 2004 in honour of Dan Snyder, the onetime Owen Sound Platers captain who twice was recognized as his club's top humanitarian and who died Oct. 5, 2003, from injuries suffered in a single-vehicle car crash in which he was a passenger six days earlier.

Paul is the OHL nominee for Humanitarian of the Year at the Canadian Hockey League awards presentation Saturday night at the Memorial Cup tournament in Quebec City. He will receive the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy at the OHL awards ceremony June 9 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

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