TORONTO (April 23, 2015) – The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) today announced that President John Gardner has advised the membership that he will not be seeking re-election at the organization’s upcoming Annual General Meeting in June of 2015.

Mr. Gardner was first elected to the Board in 1975 and was elected President in 1980. He has served the GTHL continuously for 40 years, 35 as President.

In 1980 he became the youngest President in the history of the League. He has also served as a Director of both the OHA and the OHF and was Chair of Minor Hockey for the OHF, a post he previously held with the OHA. That position allowed him, as a long-time member of Hockey Canada’s Minor Council, to share his vast hockey knowledge and wisdom with people from across Canada. In 2006, Hockey Canada recognized Mr. Gardner by awarding him the Hockey Canada Order of Merit for his tireless efforts as a volunteer.

In addition to devoting almost his entire adult life to the game and League he loves, Mr. Gardner has spearheaded many initiatives for the advancement of minor hockey, not only in Toronto, but throughout Ontario and indeed across Canada. A few examples include: under John’s leadership the GTHL was the first minor hockey organization to have every player wear the maple leaf on his or her jersey; the first organization to introduce specific penalties for checking to the head; and the first to have a comprehensive concussion and return to play policy.

Off the ice Mr. Gardner pioneered initiatives such as the introduction in 1996 of the Bell Minor Hockey Hotline allowing every player in the GTHL to hear updated scores and schedules on a daily basis, all recorded by John personally from his home. His skills as a spokesperson for minor hockey have enhanced its profile across the country and have attracted many high-profile sponsors, some of whom have become national sponsors of Hockey Canada.

The GTHL Board of Directors, Staff and Members are all eternally grateful for Mr. Gardner’s contribution to the League and the game of hockey. Mr. Gardner will continue on as a Member of the League’s Board in the capacity of Past President.

Mr. Gardner, together with GTHL Vice Presidents Ken Smith and John Neville, have nominated Mr. Don West for the position of GTHL President. Don is currently Second Vice President of the GTHL. He has served as a Director for ten years and has been Chair of the Rules and Policy Committee, the Competition Committee and the Referee Supervision Committee, and a member of the Strategic Planning and Finance Committees.

Mr. West is a Partner with the Toronto law firm Aird & Berlis and a member of its Corporate, M & A and Sports Law Groups. The election of all GTHL Officers and Directors is subject to the vote of the member Clubs at the Annual General Meeting in June.

The Greater Toronto Hockey League is the largest amateur hockey league in the world. There are over 40,000 participants registered annually with the GTHL.