SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Monday, April 13, 2015
Former SIJHL President/Commissioner Whitehead named Gary Cook Memorial Award recipient
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that former SIJHL President/Commissioner Ron Whitehead has been named the 2014-15 recipient of the prestigious CCM – Gary Cook Memorial Award.
This distinguished honour is presented each season by the SIJHL to an individual in recognition for their efforts, commitment and contributions to the league.
As a long-time President and Commissioner of the SIJHL, Whitehead was instrumental in guiding the league, especially the past decade.
“It’s pretty safe to say that without the tireless efforts of Ron Whitehead the SIJHL would possibly not be operating today,” stated current league Commissioner Bryan Graham.
“The entire SIJHL is indebted to Ron and owes him a tremendous amount of gratitude for his work and dedicated contributions to the league, not only in the region, but across the country with his efforts on behalf of the SIJHL with Hockey Northwestern Ontario, Hockey Canada, USA Hockey and the Canadian Junior Hockey League,” offered Graham.
“There is no more deserving recipient of the prestigious CCM – Gary Cook Memorial Award honour than Ron Whitehead.”
The CCM – Gary Cook Memorial Award is presented each season by the SIJHL in honour of the late hockey icon who was recognized for over five decades of hockey-related service to the community of Thunder Bay.
An honoured member of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, Mr. Cook was the ultimate hockey executive who boasted a resume of championship clubs that was second to none in hockey circles around North America.
Among his many accomplishments as a general manager and executive with multiple Thunder Bay-based franchises were a record five Allan Cup Canadian senior hockey championships, three Colonial Hockey League crowns, a CHL executive of the year award, a trio of SIJHL Bill Salonen Cup titles and a Dudley-Hewitt Cup trophy all the while earning the admiration and respect of the many, many people he was associated with over the years.
The following are the all-time CCM – Gary Cook Executive of the Year Memorial Award recipients:
2014-15: Ron Whitehead, Former SIJHL President/Commissioner
2013-14: Mike Ebbeling, CKDR Radio Dryden
2012-13: Trevor Hosanna, Hockey Northwestern Ontario
2011-12: Malcolm Robertson, Dryden Ice Dogs
2010-11: Rod Aldoff, Wisconsin Wilderness
2009-10: Ted Lake, Dryden Ice Dogs
2008-09: Doug Lawrance, Sioux Lookout Flyers
2007-08: Carolyn/Scott Kellaway, Fort Frances Jr. Sabres
Click to view the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame bio on Mr. Gary Cook