NAVAN, ONTARIO – APRIL 20, 2018 ***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Steve Barban, President and Governor of the Navan Grads Junior A Hockey Club is proud to announce the signing of Marty Abrams as Head Coach and General Manager of the club.
Abrams comes to the Grads having coached over 1000 Junior A games primarily with the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL, recently passing the 700 wins mark . Under his watch his teams have made the playoffs for 17 consecutive seasons in the OJHL, capturing two Buckland Cup league titles, two Dudley-Hewitt Central Canada Region Championships and two national Royal Bank Cup appearances.
Internationally, Abrams has represented Canada 7 times, including 6 times being named to the Team Canada East Staff at the World Junior A Challenge. A former OHL Head Coach, he has coached over 300 players who he has personally help move on to the NCAA, OHL, QMJHL, CIS and Pro hockey opportunities including the NHL.
Prior to embarking on a coaching career Abrams was the Head Scout for the London Knights and worked for the OHL Central Scouting Bureau. He is also a former NHL Draft pick with a playing career that includes time in the CCHL playing for the Pembroke Lumber Kings before moving on to the OHL where he won a league championship.
From Barban: “Having known Marty for many years, I am thrilled to have him lead the Grads organization. His very successful body of work over an extended period of time speaks for itself and undoubtedly places the Grads in excellent hands. I couldn’t be happier with my selection.”
From Abrams: “I have watched the CCHL with interest over many years and have always been impressed with the league operation. In particular I am very excited coming to Navan, where I will work to create an atmosphere that fosters both development and winning; building on the foundation that is already there.”
The Navan Grads are a Junior A Hockey Club competing in the Central Canada Hockey League (the “CCHL”). The Grads organization currently operates three teams which include the Junior A club, the U18 Club competing in the Hockey Eastern Ontario U18 league (HEO U18) as well as a spring development team which competes in the Central Development Hockey League (the “CDHL”) in May and June every year. The Grads also operate summer hockey camps and schools for young student athletes.
For more information media and prospective players may contact Marty Abrams at 1-613-885-2431 or Steve Barban at 1-613-858-7500.
