Morris Hart earns OHA Gold Stick Award

KINCARDINE – The Ontario Hockey Association bestowed its highest honour for a non-player to Morris Hart, Saturday, as the longtime Napanee Raiders leader received the Gold Stick Award.

Hart was a founding member of the Raiders’ executive leading up to its first season in 1989-1990. He’s remained with the team for each of the 35 seasons it has played – serving as president for the majority of that term.  His leadership has helped the club to two Schmalz Cup championships and years of winning records. He has also mentored hundreds of young men to become community leaders during and after their playing days.  The latter is among his proudest accomplishments.

Today, as past-president, Hart remains actively involved with the organization, creating relationships with the Greater Napanee community and selling sponsorships, doing the team’s laundry, and acting as a sounding board for coaches, players, and his fellow executives.  He has strong ties with other organizations within the Provincial Junior Hockey League and is recognized as someone who has consistently put the interests of the Tod Division and growing the game first.

In addition to his duties with the club, the Greater Napanee Sports Wall of Fame member  has been actively involved in the Napanee sporting community, coaching Softball Napanee and Roblin Raiders softball teams in national competition, serving on the committee the fundraised to build the Strathcona Paper Centre, and helping to found the Richard Dickson and Terry Grey Napanee Sports Foundation.  He also volunteers to announce at youth hockey and baseball games.

Previously, Hart was recognized with the Ontario Hockey Federation’s Junior Hockey Award in 2009-2010.

He was pleased to be able to have his grandson Calvin, a former Raiders AP, on hand to celebrate the achievement.

The Raiders organization is proud to congratulate Hart on this recognition.