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(Posted
8 a.m., Aug. 17)
New
man at the helm as Navan Grads prepare for another season
By Mike Beasley
The Orleans Star
Being
a successful team in the Central Canada Hockey League
(CCHL) takes hard work with strong leadership at the top.
The
Navan Grads Junior �A' Hockey Club have solid ownership
with Steve Barban who has presided over the franchise
as president and governor for 13 years.
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Navan
Grads new head coach and general manager Marty
Abrams (left) spent three seasons behind the
bench of the Junior A Wellington Dukes from
2012 to 2015. Photo by Amy Deroche / OJHL
Images
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You
can now add the name of Marty Abrams to Grads country
after being named head coach and general manager of the
club.
The
veteran junior hockey coach was named to the position
back in April and has been hard at work ever since Barban
offered him the dual role with the team.
"I
knew the Grads were looking for a guy to come in and take
over the program,� the Kingston native said. "Steve and
I spoke about the position, from there a deal came together
quickly, it's been a busy spring and summer preparing
for the upcoming season.�
Abrams
comes to the Grads with over 1,000 Junior �A' games to
his credit primarily with the Wellington Dukes of the
Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The owner of more
than 700 wins during his OJHL days, his teams have made
the playoffs 17 consecutive seasons, captured two Buckland
Cup league titles, two Dudley-Hewitt Central Canada Region
Championships and two national Royal Bank Cup appearances.
Internationally,
Abrams has represented Canada seven times, including six
times with the Team Canada East staff at the World Junior
�A' Challenge.
Prior
to embarking on a coaching career Abrams was the Head
Scout for the London Knights and worked for the OHL Central
Scouting Bureau.
Abrams
will have his work cut out for him after the organization's
disastrous season in 2017-2018. The team finished with
a dismal 9-52-1 record and were dead last in the CCHL
standing with 19 points.
The
task of raising the long-time franchise back to its feet
comes as a welcome challenge to Abrams who made the Wellington
Dukes a powerhouse during his OJHL tenure.
"Taking
over the Grads is a great opportunity to come in and put
a stamp on the franchise,� Abrams explained on the eve
of training camp which gets underway this week. "It's
a breath of fresh air to join the Grads with its proud
history and rich tradition. Being a part of the CCHL will
be exciting, it's one of the best leagues in Canada.�
The
team will have two weeks including four exhibition games
to get to know one another and their new coach. Their
first game is on Sept. 1 during the league's annual Labour
Day Showcase. The Grads will take on the Brockville Braves
at the Bell Sensplex in Kanata.
"I
expect training camp to be intense and very competitive,�
Abrams stated. "I know what kinds of players will make
up my team and be very demanding when it comes to their
attitude and leadership throughout the season.�
For
the Grads full regular season schedule go to www.navangrads.com.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with 85 local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION 
THE ORIGINAL NAVAN MARKET from 9 am to 2 pm at the Navan Fairgrounds, 1279 Colonial Road in Navan. Over 100 vendors in attendance. For more information 
TRIVIA NIGHT every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans from 7:30 p.m. Free to play and prize for the winning team! The Royal Oak is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near the corner of Jeanne d'Arc Blvd. For more information visit 
MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES featuring members of the Opus Academy music school under the Domes on the Navan Fairgrounds presented by the Navan Community Association starting at 7 p.m. RAIN OR SHINE Refreshments will be available for purchase..
ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET every Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it. 
