TRURO, N.S. – The Maritime Junior Hockey League has a new man at the helm.
Steven Dykeman was introduced as the league’s new president during an event on Monday afternoon at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro.
Dykeman replaces interim president Dave Ritcey, of Truro.
“They were talking a lot about the business of hockey, building a brand, taking something into the future, and my background has been working for great brands and building brands, so I thought it was a great opportunity to blend business and community at the same time,” Dykeman said, when asked what piqued his interest in the job.
Born in Saint John, N.B., Dykeman graduated from Dalhousie University in 1991 and began a 16-year career with Andrew Peller Ltd., where he served as director of sales for Eastern Canada, and then Western Canada. He returned to the Maritimes in 2007 and moved on to similar positions at companies such as Molson Coors Canada and Irving Equipment Ltd.
Dykeman, 50, who has homes in Moncton and Wentworth, was responsible for growing top line sales revenues in excess of $70 million in a variety of industries, including consumer packaged goods, technology, construction and equipment services, as well as executive recruitment and human resources consulting.
“Having Steve, I have 100 per cent confidence,” said Ritcey, who has been involved in the MHL for the past 11 years. “We need to be innovative and this is an innovative hire.
“We have the hockey people, we have a solid foundation on the hockey side, we just need to grow the brand, and through his leadership and his experience he’ll bring us to that point.”
Ritcey is stepping down as both chairman of the board of governors and interim president to spend more time with family. Ritcey joined the MHL as vice-president in 2008 and held the position for seven years. Since 2015, he’s held various leadership roles within the league.
Dykeman’s first order of business as new president will be the league’s annual general meeting and entry draft in Edmundston, N.B., June 14-15.
