Former St. Lawrence University hockey player Simon Watson has been named the Central Hockey League Man of the Year, and Adam Hogg, a teammate of Watson's, was also a finalist for the award.

Both Watson and Hogg were four-year players for the Saints and graduated in 2006.

Watson plays for Missouri and Hogg for Colorado in the CHL. Ironically, the two teams are playing each other in the Turner Conference semifinals. Watson has 18 goals and 14 assists in 48 games for Missouri while Hogg has 11 goals and 12 assists in 40 games for Colorado.

The CHL Man of the Year award is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community'. 

"The Central Hockey League Man of the Year Award is one that we are always especially proud to announce, and Simon Watson has been outstanding with his work within the community during his time with the Mavericks and is very much deserving of this honor," said Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner.  "His contributions to Independence, Kansas City and all the surrounding areas have distinguished him as this year's winner.  Simon has been a Mavericks' fan favorite for his continuous efforts off the ice and what he means to so many different groups of people."

"I believe Simon Watson encapsulates everything the Man of the Year stands for," said Mavericks Head Coach Scott Hillman.  "Simon is one of the most respected players in our locker room and a true leader off the ice for team.  He is a community first and team first kind of player.  He does nothing to try to boast Simon Watson and everything to raise the level of this organization in the community on and off of the ice.  We are so thankful for all he does as a member of our community and are so proud to call him one of the original Missouri Mavericks."

Hillman ironically won the Man of the Year Award in 2002 while a member of the Odessa Jackalopes.

In his fifth professional season and second with the Mavericks, Watson is the leader of the team's community push.  From day one in Independence, the Mavericks organization has taken pride in their community presence and giving the fans a piece of what the team is about, sharing in their success.  Watson was one of those original Mavs that laid the groundwork for all the success the team is enjoying, both on and off the ice.

Although he would not take the credit, Watson helped lead the charge in raising more than $10,000 for the Ryan Christian Love Fund helping raise money for a former teammate's (Jeff Christian) daughter.  A big part of his initiative was a bowling tournament prior to the start of the season where he recruited sponsors for the event, helped gain participants and even designed a logo for the tournament.

The Waterloo, Ontario native has worked with many different charitable groups within the Greater Independence Community including the Spofford House (child abuse, juvenile home), Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, the Child Protection Center, the Hope House and the Community Services League to name a few.

Upon being notified he was one of five finalists for the Man of the Year Award, Watson was surprised.

"I kind of wondered to myself, what have I done to even be considered for the award?  Everything I do for the team or community I do because I love to do it." (quote attributed to The Examiner).

Another big part of Watson's off-ice contributions deals with the Jr. Mavericks where he volunteers a large amount of time coaching and teaching the youth hockey players in the Independence/Kansas City area, often giving one-on-one help to kids who need it.

"Simon is amazing with the kids engaging them on their level in a way they understand," said John and Michelle Kelly (kids participate in the youth program).  "He leads his life, on and off the ice, in a way every professional athlete should and practices the traits he continually teaches the kids; fair play, sportsmanship and teamwork.  He is the best role model these kids have." 

On the ice, Watson has been a steady player accumulating 218 points (94-124=218) in 296 career CHL games.  He has played with Lubbock and Rocky Mountain, along with the Mavericks.