Hockey / Alpena's Guzman tabbed MWJHL GM of the Year

Alpena's Guzman tabbed MWJHL GM of the Year

Date:  Source: Midwest Junior Hockey League

The Midwest Junior Hockey League today announced that David Guzman of the Alpena Flyers has been named General Manager of the Year, as voted on by league staff.

Guzman, a longtime fixture with Alpena youth and high school teams, was a tireless recruiter all season and helped the Flyers finish fifth overall with an 18-22-3-3 record, including a 12-8-2-1 mark on home ice at the Northern Lights Arena

"Hands down, Dave is the heart and soul of the Alpena Flyers,” said Flyers’ head coach Erik Peterson. “His dedication to the Flyers and the Alpena hockey community are outstanding. Without Dave, Alpena would be in trouble.”

MWJHL commissioner Scott Gardiner said the work Guzman did this season was phenomenal.

“Dave certainly deserves GM of the Year,” said Gardiner. “He came in late and a little behind the 8-ball, but he did a tremendous job putting his team together and coming down the stretch, Alpena was arguably one of the top teams and a team you didn’t want to face because they could beat anybody on any given night, that’s for sure. Erik did a great job coaching the team and Dave did a wonderful job putting it all together and keeping it together.”

Mark Shutan, the MWJHL’s director of hockey administration, was equally thrilled with Guzman’s work ethic and positive attitude all season long.

“Taking over a junior hockey franchise without any junior hockey experience is never easy, but David did so with complete commitment to both the renewed success of the organization and future of his players and staff,” Shutan said. “He was a pleasure to help all season and I look forward to him continuing his good work.”

The Flyers’ season ended last weekend with a two-game sweep in the first round of the Veteran’s Memorial Cup Playoffs to the Detroit Fighting Irish.

The MWJHL Coach of the Year will be announced later Tuesday, followed by the Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year on Wednesday, Defenseman of the Year on Thursday and Forward of the Year on Friday. The Organization of the Year will be announced next week.