Petes' Puempel Receives Sun County Mickey Renaud Award

September 15, 2009

Story courtesy of Dave Waddell, Windsor Star.

The Sun County Panthers hockey organization will celebrate moving into a new home at the Essex Arena Saturday by honouring their past.

The Panthers, who will play the first games ever in Essex's new rink this weekend, announced Friday that Peterborough Pete's first-round draft pick Matt Puempel is the first recipient of the Mickey Renaud Award.

The annual award will honour a Sun County minor midget player who best demonstrates determination, dedication and leadership on and off the ice.

Renaud, who died Feb. 18, 2008 from an undetected heart condition, played for the Sun County minor midget team that won the Alliance Championship and reached the final four of the OHL Cup during the 2003-04 season.

"It's an award for dedication, determination and leadership and Matt was that type of player," Sun County president Rich Ofner said. "He was with Sun County for seven years. During that time, he was a top class player both on and off the ice.

"It was an easy decision for the board to make."

Puempel, who was taken sixth overall in the 2009 OHL draft had 88 goals and 144 points in 76 games last season, will return from the Pete's training camp to accept the award in his hometown just prior to Sun County's minor midget game at 5 p.m.

Ofner added that Sun County plans to retire Renaud's Sun County number in an official ceremony this season. Renaud wore No. 7 during his playing days with the AAA organization.

For more information please visit www.gopetesgo.com

Photo includes Mickey's brother Remy Renaud, and Windsor Spitfires General Manager Warren Rychel.

Tags: Matt Puempel