JOHNSTOWN & SEWICKLEY, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Esmark, Inc. congratulates the Johnstown Tomahawks hockey team for receiving three of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) 2018-19 season awards.
“The entire Tomahawks organization and family should be proud of these well-deserved recognitions,” said James P. Bouchard, Chairman of Esmark, Inc. and Chairman & Majority Owner of Johnstown Sports Partners, LLC. “Hard work certainly pays off, and to receive this type of recognition from the NAHL is an honor you should cherish. Congratulations!”
NAHL Executive of the Year: Johnstown Tomahawks President Rick Bouchard, who is a member of the NAHL’s executive committee, helped the Tomahawks achieve record-breaking success on and off the ice this season. In addition to its on-ice success, the team had a solid season at the box office, averaging more than 2,000 fans per game this season.
“The Tomahawks have played a critical role in helping to rebuild the Johnstown community, and Rick was instrumental in building the Tomahawk organization from the very first day on the job,” James Bouchard continued. “A former college basketball star, his experience in athletics, teamwork and leadership prepared him for this role, and his results – while impressive – are no surprise.”
Rick Bouchard played basketball at the University of North Dakota and continues to rank as one of the leaders in all-time assists.
NAHL Coach of the Year: Johnstown Tomahawks Head Coach Mike Letizia led the Tomahawks to a franchise record and NAHL-best 47 wins during the 2018-19 regular season. The Tomahawks won the 2018-19 regular season title and East Division with 47 wins and 98 points.
NAHL 2018-19 Organization of the Year: In addition to a winning season, the team had a 25-game home winning streak, a 17-game overall winning streak, and were 6th in league attendance. Off the ice, the Tomahawks remain committed to helping improve the Greater Johnstown community through the Johnstown Tomahawks Foundation and community events, which include involvement with Special Olympics, Anti-Bullying Campaigns, Boys and Girls Club, and various parades and community appearances.
Esmark, Inc. is actively engaged in its communities and in youth athletics. The company represents more than 2,000 student athletes including those affiliated with Johnstown Tomahawks, Esmark Stars, Esmark All-Americans, Quaker Valley Hockey, FC Pittsburgh and Esmark Youth Development.
In 2018, Esmark commemorated the Humboldt Broncos NAHL team bus accident by creating a decal memorializing everyone impacted by the horrific event, covering all costs of creation, production and shipping. Nearly 75,000 decals were mailed out to teams and individuals from 42 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
Esmark has donated over $3 million to children’s charities and programs in Western Pennsylvania.
About Esmark, Inc.
Esmark, Inc. is a diversified, privately-held family company with a portfolio of industrial companies with strong roots in the steel industry. Over the years, Esmark has diversified its interests and operations into a number of businesses engaged in the industrial and commodity sectors. Esmark (a former publicly traded company on NASDAQ: ESMK) has focused on several key industries including steel services, oil and gas exploration, aviation, real estate, professional services, technology and youth sports development. The company is also an active corporate citizen in the communities it serves, having committed more than $5 million in philanthropic support of a wide range of humanitarian, education, family wellness and youth sports programs in Pennsylvania, Illinois and internationally. www.esmark.com
