The league has announced that Dave Ritcey is stepping aside for personal reasons. He will stay on until a new president is hired.
“Out of respect for the league, I have decided to step down from the role of president,” Ritcey said upon the announcement. “This was a very difficult decision for me to make but in the end, it’s the appropriate one at this time.”
Ritcey first accepted the presidency on an interim basis in February. The interim tag was removed at the league’s annual general meeting last June. Prior to his presidency, Ritcey was a league vice-president from 2009-2015.
During Ritcey’s time as president, he oversaw the adoption of several important initiatives. Under his leadership, the MHL adopted three-on-three overtime, participated in the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge for the first time last November and agreed to reinstitute the league’s Showcase event in coincidence with the MHL’s upcoming 50th anniversary season.
The MHL executive team expressed their thoughts on Ritcey’s tenure as president.
“Dave continued the growth of the MHL particularly around the business side and branding side of the league,” said MHL vice-president Rod Clark. “With Dave’s leadership the league has never shown so much parity and competitiveness. It has been a pleasure to work with Dave and his abilities as president will be certainly missed.”
Ritcey said he hopes to remain involved in the league in some other capacity.
Details on a search for a new president with be announced soon.
