GRAVENHURST — The South Muskoka Shield Jr. A hockey club is paying tribute to its finest captain by creating an award that will annually recognize a player who best exemplifies his qualities.
On April 12, the team’s general manager Gord Carey presented outgoing captain Chad Meagher with the inaugural Chad Meagher Award for outstanding leadership and dedication.
“I thought that he was an exceptional leader,” Carey said in presenting the award. “With all due respect to the others, he went over and above other captains or leaders on the team as far as (working) personally with each player. He even took in a billet when we needed one. He deserved (the award) because he has done more than his share and he is an inspiration to (others).”
The veteran forward was surprised to receive the award, adding he did not expect such an honour.
“To be appreciated by Gord, our coach and the team … for them to do something like that is truly humbling and feels really good,” said Meagher. “I’m proud of my hard work and the team.”
Meagher joined the Shield in 2007. He was introduced to the squad by former player Nick Leigh.
In three years the Oro native worked his way from the third line to a leading forward and captain. In 2009 he won the Naz Marchese Award for best defensive forward.
This season he was protected as one of three 21-year-old players on the squad and was a big part of the offence, potting 69 points in the regular season to be the second highest scorer on the team and 11th in the Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey League. He added another 11 goals and nine assists in the playoffs.
Meagher said going into the 2009-10 season, he knew he would be captaining the defending Russell Cup champions.
“I think what helped a lot was that I was able to prepare for it,” he said. “We laid out what a captain has to do, which gave meaning to what it takes. When I wasn’t on the ice, I would think about what I could do for the team. I put a lot of my life into it and I think that was recognized.”
Meagher is a Laurentian University business student. He attends class at the Georgian College campus in Barrie.
He intentionally scaled back his course load to put the team first. The year before, he took the whole semester off to focus on the game.
When asked the qualities he brought to the captain position, Meagher said he’s an experienced and likable guy.
“I was able to connect with the guys,” he said. “I felt comfortable with them on ice and off. I would talk about anything with them. I was absolutely there for them.”
He thanked all the team’s admirers, attributing their success to the fan support.
Meagher said he is also happy to have made new friends from around the world, and hopes to help out with the team at practices next season.
“I’m not sure what’s next for me,” he said. “It depends on whether I have an opportunity to play elsewhere. Obviously, I’m going to help out with the team as much as I can.”
Meagher is one of at least three players leaving the South Muskoka Shield this year. It is also the end of the road for Dan Soderberg-Andersson due to age limitations. Dylan Sontag and Steven Klinck will be attending university in the fall.
The rest of the players’ intentions are still unknown, Carey said.
“It’s a total rebuilding year,” he added.