Wellington has a new General Manager and Coach in its Corner This Season
Excitement is in the air in Prince Edward County as a new operations team assembles the 2017-2018 edition of the Wellington Dukes.
After long-time head coach and G.M. Marty Abrams resigned to take the reins of the rival Trenton Golden Hawks, it was announced that former Dukes captain and current Associate Coach Ryan Woodward would serve as the new General Manager and Scott McCrory, former Whitby Fury coach, will be the new head coach for the Dukes. Local businessman and former player Randy Uens will be the vice president of hockey operations, while Kyle Hawkins-Schulz and Ryan Kitchen are the 2017-18 assistant coaches.
The new regime plans to be active in the community. “It all comes back to the kids and trying to get kids to want to become Dukes,” Uens said. “We’ll be helping out with hockey practices and trying to get the Dukes brand out there as much as possible.”
The County of Prince Edward Mayor Robert Quaiff extended a warm welcome to the new hockey operations group of the Wellington Dukes. “The Dukes are an integral part of our community, and this group recognizes the passion many people in Wellington and across The County have for this team,” Mayor Quaiff says. “I am particularly pleased that the group, led by Vice-President (Hockey Operations) Randy Uens, has pledged an increased focus on the local community.”
Under the guidance and leadership of McCrory and Woodward, the Wellington Dukes are fully committed to recruiting and developing the most talented and determined student athletes in the province. Woodward said, “We believe that winning and development go hand in hand. Our program will offer players the best opportunity to maximize their potential and reach their goals. We promise to assemble a group of highly motived, highly skilled players that will attract the attention of scouts at the NCAA and Major Junior level.”
The people of Prince Edward County and Wellington are a deeply passionate and proud hockey community. Woodward said without hesitation that expectations and the standards of success in Wellington will remain extremely high. “Ultimately our quest is to bring a championship to Wellington. We are dedicated to maintaining our status as an elite hockey program and our fan base is the best in the league.”
Dukes Events
The new hockey operations team is excited for the start of the 2017-2018 Ontario Junior Hockey League season and plan to host several “can’t miss” hockey events at ESSROC Arena:
Pink in the Rink | Sunday, October 22nd | Wellington Dukes’ vs. Trenton Golden Hawks | Game Time: 2:00PM
This might be the most anticipated game of the season in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Marty Abrams returns to ESSROC Arena as bench boss of the rival Trenton Golden Hawks on Sunday Oct 22nd, 2017 at 2:00pm. This game will also be the Dukes Annual Pink in the Rink game. Dukes fans are encouraged to circle this date on your calendar and pack ESSROC Arena to support a great cause.
Camouflage Jerseys | Proceeds to Wounded Warriors | Nov 3rd, Nov 5th & Nov 10th
Wellington Dukes Alumni Weekend | Friday December 22nd, 2017 & Saturday December 23rd, 2017
All fans and alumni of the Wellington Dukes are invited to ESSROC Arena on Friday December 22nd as the Dukes host the Newmarket Hurricanes at 7:30pm. On Saturday December 23rd the Dukes Alumni will take on the current Dukes in a celebration game that will provide all Dukes fans and alumni an opportunity to meet and greet their favourite players and staff from past seasons.