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Missouri's Simon Watson Named CHL Man of the Year

March 22, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


TEMPE, AZ (March 22, 2011) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Simon Watson of the Missouri Mavericks has been named the 2010-11 Central Hockey League Man of the Year. The award is selected by the CHL front office based on nominations and supporting materials from member clubs. The other finalists for the award were Allen's Liam Huculak, Colorado's Adam Hogg, Dayton's Jeff Jakaitis and Rio Grande Valley's Zak McClellan.

The CHL Man of the Year award is ‚¬Ëœpresented 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'.

"The Central Hockey League Man of the Year Award is one that we are always especially proud to announce, and Simon Watson has been outstanding with his work within the community during his time with the Mavericks and is very much deserving of this honor," said Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner. "His contributions to Independence, Kansas City and all the surrounding areas have distinguished him as this year's winner. Simon has been a Mavericks' fan favorite for his continuous efforts off the ice and what he means to so many different groups of people."

"I believe Simon Watson encapsulates everything the Man of the Year stands for," said Mavericks Head Coach Scott Hillman. "Simon is one of the most respected players in our locker room and a true leader off 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."

Hillman ironically won the Man of the Year Award in 2002 while a member of the Odessa Jackalopes.

In his fifth professional season and second with the Mavericks, Watson is the leader of the team's community push. From day one in Independence, the Mavericks organization has taken pride in their community presence and giving the fans a piece of what the team is about, sharing in their success. Watson was one of those original Mavs that laid the groundwork for all the success the team is enjoying, both on and off the ice.

Although he would not take the credit, Watson helped lead the charge in raising more than $10,000 for the Ryan Christian Love Fund helping raise money for a former teammate's (Jeff Christian) daughter. A big part of his initiative was a bowling tournament prior to the start of the season where he recruited sponsors for the event, helped gain participants and even designed a logo for the tournament.

The Waterloo, Ontario native has worked with many different charitable groups within the Greater Independence Community including the Spofford House (child abuse, juvenile home), Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, the Child Protection Center, the Hope House and the Community Services League to name a few.

Upon being notified he was one of five finalists for the Man of the Year Award, Watson was surprised.

"I kind of wondered to myself, what have I done to even be considered for the award' Everything I do for the team or community I do because I love to do it." (quote attributed to The Examiner).

Another big part of Watson's off-ice contributions deals with the Jr. Mavericks where he volunteers a large amount of time coaching and teaching the youth hockey players in the Independence/Kansas City area, often giving one-on-one help to kids who need it.

"Simon is amazing with the kids engaging them on their level in a way they understand," said John and Michelle Kelly (kids participate in the youth program). "He leads his life, on and off the ice, in a way every professional athlete should and practices the traits he continually teaches the kids; fair play, sportsmanship and teamwork. He is the best role model these kids have."

On the ice, Watson has been a steady player accumulating 218 points (94-124=218) 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)

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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