Mark Woolley (Owen Sound Attack) – Ontario Hockey League

 

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Mark Woolley of the Owen Sound Attack is the 2021-22 recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy awarded to the OHL Humanitarian of the Year.

Diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic as a teenager, the Attack captain has been a leader on and off the ice. Woolley raised $25,000 toward Diabetes Canada during the 2021-22 season, contributing to an overall contribution of over $60,000 through his Woolley’s Warriors initiative over the course of his five-year OHL career. The funds raised are being used to send children to Diabetes Canada D-Camps.

Even faced with barriers to community involvement through the Covid-19 pandemic, Woolley joined high school-aged Attack teammates in spearheading a charitable online auction entitled Woolley’s Warriors Operation November that raised over $2,000 for his foundation. He took the lead and joined forces with the Attack on February 26, 2022 to host the club’s first-ever Woolley’s Warriors Night that featured specially-themed uniforms auctioned off for charity, an event that raised upwards of $19,000.

“I’m extremely honoured to have been selected by the league for such a prestigious award,” said Woolley. “If you take a look at all the past winners of the Humanitarian Award there are some pretty special names that were involved in their community on that list, so to be recognized on that stage is a huge accomplishment that I am very proud of. Obviously it’s my face and name on the front of Woolley’s Warriors, but I just want to make sure I give proper thanks to everybody who has been involved thus far. There are so many little details that go on behind the scenes and without the amazing support I’ve gotten along the way none of this would have been possible. To the Guelph Storm and the Owen Sound Attack, thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow in two outstanding organizations and for shaping me into being the young man I am today.”

In addition to building friendships and forming connections with young fans who have also been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, Woolley was a force for the Attack on the ice, recording 12 points (3-9–12) over 54 games while drawing high praise on the OHL Coaches Poll, being voted the top Body Checker and top Shot Blocker in the Western Conference. The 6-foot-3, 226Ib. native of St. Thomas, Ont. played four OHL seasons between Owen Sound and Guelph, recording 41 points (9-32–41) over 225 regular season games while adding four assists in 18 postseason matchups. Woolley was originally a third round (54th overall) pick by the Guelph Storm in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.

“The organization would like to congratulate Mark Woolley on being selected as OHL Humanitarian of the Year,” said Attack General Manager Dale DeGray. “Mark has shown an incredible amount of willingness to continue the growth of his endeavour through some crazy times during Covid. He has maintained his availability to help in every way he could at the same time being the captain of a young group of players that needed his direction as well. He is a very worthy recipient of this award and the Attack organization is proud to see him furthering the legacy of Dan Snyder, who made a tremendous impact on the city of Owen Sound.”

Each year the OHL awards a player that has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a positive role model in the community with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy.  The Ontario Hockey League Board of Governors announced in 2004 that the OHL Humanitarian of the Year award would be renamed in recognition of the former Owen Sound Platers captain, who was twice named his team’s Humanitarian of the Year in recognition of his tremendous efforts in supporting community activities.

Woolley becomes the first Attack player to earn Humanitarian of the Year honours since Mike Angelidis in 2005-06. Recent recipients include back-to-back winner Garrett McFadden of the Guelph Storm in 2017 and 2018, Nicholas Canade of the Mississauga Steelheads in 2018-19 and Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers in 2019-20.

Two other Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy nominees joined Woolley as repeat candidates from 2019-20 including Kingston Frontenacs defender Braden Haché and Soo Greyhounds forward Cole MacKay, who both served as ambassadors for Hockey Gives Blood in their respective communities. Haché was the 2020-21 recipient of the Dayna Brons Honorary Award and launched his own blood drive in Kingston that recruited 30 new donors this past season. A hometown product of Sault Ste. Marie, MacKay was a 2021-22 nominee for the Dayna Brons Honorary Award having demonstrated his commitment to raising the profile of blood, stem cell, organ and tissue donation for the past two years.

Woolley will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Humanitarian of the Year Award.

For more information you can follow @WoolleysWarriors or visit www.woolleyswarriors.com to support the cause.

From Diabetes Canada Community Engagement Coordinator Lindsay Wig:
“As a person living with type 1 diabetes, Mark has been a strong role model in the Diabetes Canada community. He has been a supportive presence in our fundraising events, including our Flame of Hope Golf Tournament in Shelburne, Ontario; being a type 1 diabetes model in our Pump Couture Fashion Show; and rallying a team for our Lace Up to End Diabetes virtual walk. Since Mark launched Woolley’s Warriors in 2019, he has raised over $60,000 and connected those living with diabetes through sharing his story, while building a platform for others to share theirs.

“Mark doesn’t let diabetes stand in the way of his goals. Thanks to an exceptional health care team and the unwavering support of his family, Mark has risen above his diagnosis and achieved his dreams of playing hockey at an elite level. One in three Canadians are currently living with or are at risk of diabetes and Mark does everything he can to help and inspire those affected by diabetes live healthier, more hopeful lives.”

2021-22 Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Nominees:
Barrie Colts – Ethan Cardwell
Erie Otters – Spencer Sova
Flint Firebirds – Luke Cavallin
Guelph Storm – Jacob Oster
Hamilton Bulldogs – Nathan Staios
Kingston Frontenacs – Braden Haché*
Kitchener Rangers – Reid Valade
London Knights – Antonio Stranges
Mississauga Steelheads – Ethan Del Mastro
Niagara IceDogs – Landon Cato
North Bay Battalion – Dalyn Wakely
Oshawa Generals – Ty Tullio
Ottawa 67’s – Cameron Tolnai
Owen Sound Attack – Mark Woolley*
Peterborough Petes – Konnor Smith
Saginaw Spirit – Nick Wong
Sarnia Sting – Nolan DeGurse
Soo Greyhounds – Cole MacKay*
Sudbury Wolves – David Goyette
Windsor Spitfires – Daniel D’Amico

*- 2019-20 nominee

2022 OHL Awards announcements continue next week when the OHL recognizes its academic award winners.