On Sunday January 12th the OHA honoured a long standing member of the Association by awarding John Simmons the OHA Crystal Puck. The life long junior hockey fan has been involved with the OHA for 27 years. In 1970 while coaching his first Pee Wee House League team, Simmons knew he had caught the “Hockey Bug”.

Ten years later, after three consecutive league championships and Semi and Quarter Final appearances at the OMHA Championships with both Juvenile and a Bantam team, John was elected to the Lambeth Minor Hockey executive. In the following eight seasons he would serve as the House League Convenor as well as the towns travel team convenor and acting President.

In 1987 John made his first mark of a longstanding career of involvement within the OHA. Joining the Lambeth Lancers as their General Manager. In his first two seasons with the club, John’s team managed to capture the OHA Championship as the top Junior D team in the province. For six seasons, the Lancers were his club.

In the 1992-93 season, his skills as a General Manager in the Junior D League would take him to Mount Brydges where he would run the Bulldogs, for the next four seasons.

In 1996 John took on the challenges of Junior B Hockey, joining up with the Strathroy Rockets. The team would finish the two seasons John was with them in first and second place in their league respectively. From 1998-2000 he would work with another Junior B team, the London Nationals who at that time were owned by the London Knights. John also worked as the Assistant General Manager with the St. Thomas Stars for the 2000-2001 season, before re-joining the nationals for the next seven seasons.

 In 2007 he served on the OHA Board of Directors where he became an active member for three seasons. Always volunteering to help out with appeals, John was able to use his vast hockey knowledge and correct interpretation of rulings to find solutions to problems.

Stepping away from the Board at the conclusion of the 2010 season, John would continue on in the OHA as the President and General Managers of the Mount Brydges Bulldogs up to the beginning of this season. It was here that John helped the clubs transition from Junior D into Junior C.

A dedicated man who pours his heart and soul into everything he does for the game, John still attends the odd game when he gets a chance. For 43 years, he’s been involved in Hockey, for 41 years he’s been married to his loving wife Carol with whom they raised a son, Tim, and a daughter Kelly. Both Carol and John enjoy spending time with their two grandchildren, Ty (7) and their newest addition to the family, young Emily who is a year old.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great honour that we award the Crystal Puck to Mr. John Simmons for his many years of personal sacrifice and service to the OHA and communities in Middlesex County. Please help me in applauding Crystal Puck recipient John Simmons.

The OHA would like to thank the Lambeth Lancers Hockey Club for helping to put on a fantastic pre-game ceremony, as well, thank you to those fans who came out to support John and the entire Simmons family. Congratulations John and thank you for all you've done for our game!