WINNIPEG, MB - The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) is pleased to release details about the future leadership structure of Jr.A hockey in Manitoba. Kim Davis, current Commissioner of the MJHL, will be stepping down at the end of June 2020 concluding an impressive eighteen seasons with the league.
The league’s Board of Governors have concluded a succession plan with current Director of Operations, Kevin Saurette, who will take over as the next Commissioner of the MJHL. Now in his fourth season with the MJHL, Saurette will officially take over the lead role at the end of June 2020.
Kim Davis began his tenure in the 2002-03 season where he was hired as the league’s first full-time Commissioner. Since his appointment in June 2002 there has been over 6,000 MJHL regular season games played along with over 700 playoff games and over 200 regional or national championship games. Davis, a native of Flin Flon, MB, was selected in both the NHL and WHA Amateur drafts in 1977 (NHL - Pittsburgh 48th Overall, WHA - Edmonton 24th Overall). After a five-year professional career with experience in the AHL, IHL, and NHL he completed his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Manitoba. Prior to joining the league Kim Davis held coveted marketing positions in the retail banking, provincial lotteries, and food service industries.
Hired in 2016 by the MJHL, Kevin Saurette had previously enjoyed a nine-year professional playing career in the ECHL, AHL as well as oversees in Germany and the United Kingdom. After a junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Saurette played five seasons with the University of Manitoba Bisons (U Sports) and eventually was named captain. The Brandon, MB product completed his Master of Business Administration while playing for the Belfast Giants (EIHL/UK) where his finished his playing career.
As part of the progression of the MJHL leadership structure a recruitment process will begin in February 2020 to appoint a new Director of Operations along with a new full-time staff role to manage league marketing and partnerships. Both Davis and Saurette will jointly lead the initiative to oversee the application process and hiring of the new personnel.
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is one of ten Junior ‘A’ Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a proud member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The MJHL and its eleven member clubs take pride in providing the best development opportunities for players to advance on and off the ice.
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