By Derek Holtom
On average, statistics say people will change their careers three to seven times throughout their lifetime. This is much different from baby boomers who often got a job and kept it until they retired.
I mention this as the MJHL announced that Brian Munz has been hired as their new Manager of League Development. Munz is fairly well known in the hockey world, having covered hockey for pretty much his entire working life – I first met Munz in the 1990s when I was covering the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders and he was covering the SJHL’s Melfort Mustangs.
Munz would go onto a prolific career in junior hockey, even being named to the SJHL Hall of Fame in 2014. He would go onto working in the professional ranks, doing play-by-play for the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Roadrunners, and other work for TSN.
He took a break from actual hockey coverage to work as the director of communications for Golf Manitoba before coming back to hockey with this MJHL job. So, while his jobs varied slightly, Munz has always been in the business of being involved in sports, and that looks to continue – though now rather than covering sports, he’ll be helping develop it.
The MJHL explains Munz, in this newly-created position, will be responsible for the following duties:
- Working with teams to elevate operational hockey standards across the league.
- Help to ensure a high-quality, consistent experience for players, coaches, and fans in all arenas (both home and away).
- Support facility, game presentation, broadcast and service benchmarks.
- Provide guidance on individual team and league-wide broadcast standards and best practices.
- Strengthening grassroots connections to help drive attendance and long-term fan growth.
- Managing special projects for the MJHL.
“We are very excited to welcome Brian to the MJHL,” shared Commissioner, Kevin Saurette. “With his vast experience in hockey at all levels, he will be an asset to the league office and member teams across the province moving forward.”
The MJHL is making moves to keep up with other junior A leagues across the country, demanding more from all teams to raise the standard for players and fans alike. It will be interesting to track the return on this investment over time.
- Plenty of trades to report from the eve of the start of the regular season. Here’s a recap of teams in my coverage area in the Parkland.
The Northern Manitoba Blizzard shipped forward Dylan Westmann to Hearst of the NOJHL for a player development fee (PDF). He had 11 points in 24 games for the Blizzard last year.
The Neepawa Titansacquired forward Carter Stamp-Vincent from Flin Flon of the SJHL for a PDF.
The Titans also acquired defenseman Casey Magarrell from the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL for a PDF. Magarrell actually played two games for the Swan Valley Stampeders last season, but spent most of his time with the Pembina Valley Hawks where he scored 38 points in 48 games.
The Swan Valley Stampeders acquired defenseman Owen Lutgen from Flin Flon of the SJHL. The American had 25 points in 30 games in high school last year.
The Stampeders also shipped forward Simon Ward to Navan of the CCHL for a PDF.
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines traded forward Peyton Thiessen to the Winnipeg Monarchs for a PDF. The Beausejour native had 45 points in 41 games with the Eastman Selects last year.
The Wolverines also sent defenseman Noah Bonds and a PDF to the Selkirk Steelers for forward Carter Haney and future considerations. Bonds had 29 points in 47 games with the Winnipeg Thrashers last year, while Haney had 33 points in 53 games for the Steelers.
And finally, the Winkler Flyers shipped defenseman Kaden Sutherland to the Wolverines for a PDF. Sutherland was the captain of the Winnipeg Thrashers last year, scoring 31 points in 44 games from the blueline.
