Adam Dennis wins Jim Aspin Memorial Award as Executive of the Year
Adam Dennis has been named the 2025 recipient of the Jim Aspin Memorial Award for Executive of the Year from the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
The President and Director of Hockey Operations with the North Bay Battalion has called North Bay home for the past decade, moving into a position of assistant coach/assistant general manager in 2026 and then the general manager role in 2019 before taking over the presidential duties in the summer of 2024.
Dennis is one of the award winners selected by the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame nomination committee.
“I accepted a position here in 2016,” recalls Dennis.
“My wife Caitlin and I were a year and a half into our marriage with a newborn and really had no idea what the future would bring. We are now a family of five and have considered North Bay to be our home for just shy of a decade. To be recognized locally means the world to my family and I. We are so grateful for this honour.”
Dennis and his scouting staff hit the ground running post-COVID through developing talented players and guiding the Battalion from his management seat to three straight OHL Eastern Conference Finals.
Away from the ice, Dennis has also worked hard within the community. He’s connected with Hockey for Beginners by having Battalion players attend weekly practices. Dennis also serves as a director on the North Bay Minor Hockey Association.
It’s those types of connections that have helped Dennis create multiple community partnerships, as connecting the team to the community has become a key priority for the organization under Dennis’ leadership.
“There are so many things that our staff is incredibly proud of; Ty's Troops and Wakes Sakes are a few of the highlights,” he said.
“However, I can say quite honestly that it makes me feel most proud to see the waves of young people coming to the rink on a regular basis to experience the great game of hockey. We have had so many amazing role models don the Battalion green in my time here, and to see them interact with the children in our community means the world to me. Hockey is a game, but can provide so much more, and we have certainly felt that reciprocated from our supporters.”
As a hockey goaltender, Adam Dennis had an impressive junior hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League. In 2004, he guided the Guelph Storm to an OHL championship and reached the Memorial Cup tournament. The following season, he was traded to the London Knights, again winning the OHL championship and the Memorial Cup as well. Dennis was a key piece in the win, being named Memorial Cup Most Outstanding Goaltender and First Team All-Star.
In his final junior season, Dennis was named the OHL's Goaltender of the Year and All-Star.
Drafted by the Sabres after capturing a Memorial Cup with London, Dennis was signed by the team to a three-year, entry-level deal October, 2006. Dennis was recalled for a period of four games during the 2006-07 season while Sabres starting goalie Ryan Miller was recovering from a lower-body strain. Dennis served as Martin Biron's backup during his only NHL stint.
“I've been so fortunate to play on some great teams with a lot of talented teammates and coaches,” said Dennis, looking back to his playing career.
“I have learned so much from each different environment and feel lucky to have the experience of playing on the teams to help shape our program. We have always said that we want to create an environment that we would want to play within and feel comfortable having our kids play in as well.”
Dennis will be presented with the award at the 45th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Saturday, May 2, at the Davedi Club. Tickets can be purchased through Larry Tougas at 705-303-8104. Tickets are also available at the Davedi Club by calling 705-474-4190.
