The MHL wishes to announce a change to its Executive Committee.
Effective immediately, Will MacLaren has stepped down as the league’s Director of Communications. Replacing him is Kevin Northup.
MacLaren was named to the position upon its creation by the league in 2013. Overall, the 37 year old who currently resides in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia was involved with the league in one capacity or another for ten seasons. In addition to his league duties, MacLaren was a long time host and play by play commentator for the MHL with Rogers TV as well as the play by play webcast voice of the former Dieppe Commandos franchise from 2011-2015.
“Due to various commitments outside of my duties with the league, I have made the difficult decision to move on,” MacLaren explained. “I have thoroughly enjoyed and am very proud of my association with the MHL in various capacities. This league is a vital part of hockey in the Maritimes and the people who are associated with it and support it are first rate. Kevin Northup has been one of those people for many years. I wish him the best of luck in what I’m sure will be a long, successful tenure with the MHL Executive.”
Brian Whitehead has worked closely with MacLaren since he was named league President in 2016.
“Will has been a trusted member of our Executive for many years and has been a great contributor to our league both in the public eye and behind the scenes. We are sad to see him go but nonetheless wish him the best in his future endeavours.”
Northup is no stranger to both the MHL or the local media scene. The 28 year old, who resides in Yarmouth, has been the play-by-play voice of the Mariners since 2012. An employee of radio station Y95-CJLS since 2009, Northup has been the station’s Sports Director since 2011. He has called Mariners’ games for CJLS, HockeyTV and Eastlink. Northup graduated from Atlantic Media Institute in 2008.
“I’m very excited to be taking over the role of Director of Communications for the MHL,” Northup said. “Having (recently) celebrated its 50th season, I feel the league is gaining momentum as a destination for Junior A hockey in Canada. I look forward to being a part of the MHL family for years to come.”
The league’s President looks forward to having Northup in the fold as well.
“Kevin has shown a passion for the game and for the league through his great call of Mariners’ games for many years,” Whitehead explained. “We look forward to bringing him into to MHL Executive fold and working with him to continually forge a bond between the league, its teams and fans as well as the media.”