The legend of Mav
He can be called an Ontario Hockey League legend and few — if any — would dispute that notion. He can also be termed gruff but pleasant, ornery but kind, a beer-drinking guy who coached and managed against the best of them.
Known simply and fondly as ‘Mav’, 76-year old Larry Mavety is the latest recipient of the Bill Long Award for distinguished service that the OHL presents in recognition and appreciation of outstanding contributions to the game.
Mavety began his long association with the OHL in 1981 when he was hired as the first-ever coach and general manager of the Belleville Bulls.
He would carry on, without interruption, in the dual role of coach and GM with the erstwhile Bulls and the Kingston Frontenacs until 2009. He stepped away from coaching in 2009 to focus on being the GM in Kingston until 2011 and still represents the Frontenacs as their alternate governor at OHL meetings.
Well known during the 30 OHL seasons that he spent as a coach and/or general manager, Mavety’s colourful personality and friendly ways made him a well-liked, well-respected individual both inside and outside league circles.
Known as a player’s coach, he kept the game simple. A hard-nosed coach whose teams competed hard and often overachieved, Mavety became known for being able to get the most out of fringe players.
“Any one can coach a star player,” Mavety was fond of saying.
Nonetheless, the majority of the stars played as hard for him as the third and fourth liners did.
With a love for beer — he was affectionately known as a proud supporter of Molson — and a fondness for socializing with rival OHL coaches and general managers after home and away games, Mavety also had a good rapport with the local and out-of-town media.
As a general manager, he was quick to make trades to suit his teams, often giving up a skilled forward for a checking winger and a tough defenseman.
David Branch, who has been OHL commissioner since 1979, has had an association with Mavety since 1981. And Branch, as much as anyone, knows how deserving Mavety is of the Bill Long Award.
“To dedicate more than three decades to the growth and development of our league and its players the way Mav has done as a coach and general manager is remarkable,” said Branch. “It is only fitting that he be recognized for not only his longevity, but his passion, influence, and outstanding contributions to the league and to our game.”
In addition to being fifth on the OHL’s all-time coaching wins list, Mavety is one of just six coaches to earn over 600 career victories. Along with Brian Kilrea and the late Bert Templeton, Mavety is one of just three men to coach in more than 1,500 OHL games.
Not only that, Mavety’s 435 career victories are the most in Belleville’s franchise history. He also had another 246 wins as Kingston’s coach.
Of further note, he was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL coach of the year in 1990 and was inducted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
Despite his colourful ways and reputation as a tough guy, Mavety remained a modest individual throughout his 30 years as an OHL coach and general manager. To be sure, this is a man who you would not hear bragging about himself in any way, shape or form.
The OHL is more structured, disciplined and business-like now than it was when Mavety first came into the league in 1981.
Under the strong, visionary leadership of its aforementioned commissioner Branch, the OHL has moved on from the days when the league was run from a hotel bar.
And while colourful, delightful characters remain in the game, there are none that can match what Mavety brought to the OHL during his 30 years as a coach and general manager in both Belleville and Kingston.
Here’s to ya, Mav.
Great to see Mav recognized with this award. He certainly is all of what you said in your article Randy. One of my favourite memories is the time I spent with Killer and Mav scouting the Prescott midget tournament. Kt was a week to remember. The two of them are what helped make the OHL what it is today. Good to see that we haven’t forgotten that in the North.
Trader Mav. Some seasons he must have used all this cards. Those Belleville-Kingston games back in the day were like religious wars, beginning in the warm-up.