The Midwest Junior Hockey League today announced that the Traverse City Hounds have been named the Organization of the Year.

The Hounds’ players and staff participated with Special Olympics Michigan this season, taking part in several days’ worth of events in February at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa that included teaching the SOMI athletes to skate and participating in an autograph and photo session.

In addition, Traverse City players also read to school-age children at various schools during the year and received positive feedback from teachers and parents alike. Prior to the holidays, Hounds’ players and coaches helped wrap presents (pictured) that were delivered to area families in need.

During select games this season at Centre ICE, the Hounds’ organization honored area public safety officials, military veterans and cancer survivors.

Numerous community businesses also joined the Hounds’ list of team sponsors and the team led the MWJHL in total home attendance (5,178) and average attendance per game (225). For the third straight season, the Hounds finished first overall (40-3-1-2) in the league standings and are the two-time defending Veteran’s Memorial Cup champions.

“When we got into junior hockey years ago, we wanted two things – to be consistent and to put a great product on the ice,” Traverse City general manager Randy Montrose said. “We’ve done both and will continue to do so.”

“We always harp on our players that playing the games is the easy part and that it’s giving back to this supportive community that means the most and has the longest-lasting effect,” added Hounds’ head coach Scott Gardiner said. “When players commit to play here, they know from day one that we want them to, of course, become better hockey players, but more than that, we want to turn these kids into men.”

The Hartland Hounds were the inaugural Organization of the Year honorees in 2013.

The finals of the Veteran’s Memorial Cup Playoffs are this weekend at Centre ICE in Traverse City as the Hounds defend against the Motor City Monarchs. Game 1 is Friday night at 8 p.m. and Game 2 is Saturday night at 7 p.m. If a deciding Game 3 is needed, it will be played Sunday at 1 p.m.

All games will be on www.fasthockey.com.