SIMON WATSON NAMED TO KC MAVS ELITE COACHING STAFF

KC Mavs Elite in conjunction with the Missouri Mavericks announced Tuesday Simon Watson has been named to the KC Mavs Elite Midget coaching staff for the 2013-14 season. The KC Mavs Elite Midget is formerly the Russell Stover Tier 1 AAA program.

Watson spent the last two years on the coaching staff of the Missouri Mavericks as the Assistant Director of Hockey Operations. He will continue working for the Mavericks as Director of Player Personnel next season along with his continued support of the Jr. Mavs youth hockey organization.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in a nationally recognized program based in Kansas City,” said Watson. “I look forward to working in an environment which will enable me to coach, mentor and teach young players as they work towards their hockey goals of playing at the next level.”

Simon retired from professional hockey in 2011 having played five years in the Central Hockey League (CHL) including his final two seasons with the Missouri Mavericks. The Waterloo, Ontario native was named the CHL’s “Man of the Year” for his contributions in the community in his final season with the Mavericks. A graduate of St. Lawrence University, Simon completed four years of college hockey where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s Degree in Educational Leader Ship.

“We are very excited for Simon as he takes the next step in his coaching career,” said Mavericks’ President and General Manager Brent Thiessen. “He has demonstrated his commitment to the development of youth hockey in this area and we are happy he will still be involved in the day-to-day operations with the Missouri Mavericks.”

“We are extremely excited to add Simon to the Mavs Elite staff,” said Don Burns, hockey director for KC Mavs Elite. “Simon’s playing, coaching and education backgrounds are a perfect combination for the youth players in the Mavs Elite program.”

The KC Mavs Elite, formerly Russell Stover Tier 1 AAA, operates under the Mid-America Hockey Association (MAHA), www.midamericahockey.org, as its governing body and is incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.