PROWLERS INK TRADE AGREEMENT WITH NATIONALS FOR AHMED MAHFOUZ
PORT HURON, MI — The Port Huron Prowlers announced today that fan-favorite and assistant captain Ahmed Mahfouz is officially property of the Cornwall Nationals (ON, Canada). Mahfouz, a native of nearby Ottawa, is a three-time Commissioner’s Cup Champion whose talent and experience was highly sought by the Nationals. Over the course of his 7 years in the FHL, Mahfouz has tallied a staggering 201 goals and 592 total points in 291 games.
Of the decision, Prowlers’ owner Barry Soskin admits, “it was a very hard choice to make. On the one hand, he’s been an integral part of 2 championships with me and my teams and demonstrates professionalism both on and off the ice. I’m sorry to see him go.” Soskin concedes the decision was ultimately made to honor Mahfouz’s long-standing commitment and desire to play closer to his hometown. “He’s going home. It allows family and friends to support him at as many games as possible, as opposed to only once or twice a season.” Soskin laments after his 5 years with Mahfouz, “I personally wish him the best, as I do all the players and staff who have been with me at one time or another. Hockey is a small world and I hope our paths cross again.”
Mahfouz’s departure comes after a disappointing second season for the Prowlers. After sweeping the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup Finals in their inaugural season, effectively ending the City of Port Huron’s 44-year professional hockey championship drought, the Prowlers struggled to find a foothold early in the 2016-17 season. Despite ending the season with all three of the top leaders in points (Mahfouz, League MVP Matt Robertson and Branden Parkhouse consecutively), the Prowlers failed to clinch a playoff spot in a late season run.
“It’s hard to trade a player like Ahmed Mahfouz, but at the end of the day, we had a player who wanted to be closer to home and we had an opportunity to move him,” states General Manager and Head Coach Joseph Pace, Sr. “There will be holes to fill in the roster, but having guys like Parky and Robo - and many other key players - who can step up and take a more active role, make it easy. I believe the transition will be a smooth one and I look forward to building a team that is as strong defensively as it is offensively.”
As for Ahmed Mahfouz, or “Fouz” as fellow teammates, fans and even some family call him, he extends his most sincere gratitude to the fans and town that made Port Huron his home away from home: “I want to thank everyone from Barry, to the coaching staff and to Allison in the office and definitely the fans! When playing 8 hours from home, you hope to land in a place like Port Huron. The fans are incredible and made my time there perfect. I only hope the fans in Port Huron take it easy on me when I’m back playing in their barn. Playing close to home will be exciting and I look forward to my future with Cornwall.”