OHL Announces Scholastic Award Winners
The Ontario Hockey League today announced the scholastic award winners for the 2007-08 season.
Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires won the Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL's Scholastic Player of the Year while
Scott Aarssen of the London Knights won the Roger Neilson Memorial Award as the OHL's top academic player attending college or university and Alex Freisen of the Niagara IceDogs won the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award as the OHL's top academic player attending high school.
BOBBY SMITH AWARD (OHL SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR)
Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
Ellis attended St. Anne Catholic High in Belle River while playing for the Windsor Spitfires. He was a busy student who took eight Grade 11 University preparation courses including Accounting, World Religions, Math, English, Biology, Chemistry, Law and Physical Education. Despite not having a spare to assist with studying for the entire year, Ellis was able to maintain an 81% average. On the ice, Ellis scored 15 goals and 48 assists for 63 points in 63 games and finished the season as the OHL's top scoring rookie defenceman. The 17-year-old from Freelton, ON also helped Team Ontario win the gold medal at the World Under-17 Challenge in London in January.
Each year the Bobby Smith Trophy is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, former Ottawa 67's star who exhibited a standard of excellence in both of these areas.
Previous winners of the Bobby Smith Trophy include Dave Gagner, Craig Billington, Nathan LaFayette, Ethan Moreau and
Brad Boyes.
Steven Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting won the award last year.
2007-08 Bobby Smith Award Nominees
Barrie -- Adam Payerl
Belleville --
Eric Tangradi
Brampton --
Cody Hodgson
Erie -- Ryan O'Reilly
Guelph-
Thomas McCollum
Kingston --
Bobby Mignardi
Kitchener --
Alex Dzielski
London --
Matt Clarke
Mississauga -- Mike McGurk
Niagara -- Alex Freisen
Oshawa --
John Tavares
Owen Sound --
Tyler Beskorowany
Ottawa --
Tyler Cuma
Peterborough --
Jamie Doornbosch
Plymouth --
A.J. Jenks
Saginaw --
Tyler Murovich
Sarnia --
Steven Stamkos
Sudbury --
Jared Staal
Sault Ste. Marie --
James Livingston
Windsor --
Ryan Ellis
ROGER NEILSON MEMORIAL AWARD (TOP ACADEMIC PLAYER IN COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY)
Scott Aarssen, London Knights
Aarssen began taking courses at King's University College at the University of Western Ontario in the Fall of 2006. This year, he completed three courses including Sociology, History and Math and maintained an 82% average over the course of the year. Many of his professors remembered his work, acknowledged his commitment and noted his near perfect attendance. Robin Ellis, Coordinator of Admissions at King's noted that Scott "...is a role model for many of the other Knight's players who are also students at King's." On the ice, Aarssen had 11 assists and was a plus-12 in 40 games on the Knights' blueline. The 19-year-old London native completed his third season with the Knights.
The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is named in honour of the Hall of Fame Coach. While coaching the Peterborough Petes in the late 1960's and early 1970's, Neilson, a former high school teacher, was a pioneer in stressing the importance of education to all of his players.
Danny Battachio of the Ottawa 67's won the Roger Nielson Memorial Award in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and
Derrick Bagshaw of the Erie Otters won the award last season.
2007-08 Roger Neilson Memorial Award Nominees
Barrie --
Kyle van de Bospoort
Belleville --
Bryan Cameron
Erie --
Paul Cianfrini
Guelph --
Nathan Martine
Kitchener --
Alex Dzielski
London --
Scott Aarssen
Mississauga -- Mike McGurk
Oshawa --
Shea Kewin
Ottawa --
Matthieu Methot
Owen Sound --
David Kolomatis
Plymouth --
Chris Terry
Saginaw --
Jack Combs
Sarnia --
Jordan Hill
Sudbury --
John Kurtz
Sault Ste. Marie --
Tyler Cuthbert
IVAN TENNANT MEMORIAL AWARD (TOP ACADEMIC PLAYER IN HIGH SCHOOL)
Alex Freisen, Niagara IceDogs
Freisen is a Grade 11 student who attended Niagara District Secondary School while playing for the IceDogs. He took an academically challenging program consisting of Grade 11 and 12 University preparation courses including Grade 11 & 12 English, Understanding Canadian Law, Math and both Grade 11 and 12 Chemistry. Alex's academic average for the year currently sits at 92%. According to Niagara Ice Dogs Academic Advisor, Mr. Tim Tope, "Alex's excellent academic standing, his sound character and strong leadership capabilities both inside and outside of the classroom are what sets him apart from other student-athletes." He went on to state that "--it is my belief that he personifies the characteristics the Ontario Hockey League would most value and admire in their players." On the ice, Freisen scored five goals and nine assists for 14 points in 46 games as a rookie. The 17-year-old from Niagara on the Lake, added a pair of assists in 10 playoff games.
This award is given to the Top Academic High School Player and is named in honour of Ivan Tennant, who spent a lifetime combining hockey and education. He was the Kitchener Rangers' Education Consultant for 20 years and a key figure on the OHL's Education Consultant's Committee.
Previous winners of the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award include
Matt Pelech of the Sarnia Sting (2004-05) and
Joe Pleckaitis of the Ottawa 67's (2005-06).
Andrew Shorkey of the Owen Sound Attack won the award last season.
2007-08 Ivan Tennant Memorial Award Nominees
Barrie -- Adam Payerl
Belleville --
Robert Stellick
Brampton --
Ben Alavie
Erie -- Ryan O'Reilly
Guelph --
Peter Holland
Kingston -- Tayler Doherty
Kitchener --
Mike Mascioli
London -- Garrett Hunter
Mississauga --
Cameron Gaunce
Niagara -- Alex Freisen
Oshawa --
David Corrente
Ottawa --
Tyler Cuma
Owen Sound --
Brennan Wright
Peterborough -- Joey West
Plymouth --
A.J. Jenks
Saginaw --
Tyler Murovich
Sarnia -- Ben O'Quinn
Sudbury --
J.K. Gill
Sault Ste. Marie -- Simon Fischabber
Windsor --
Ryan Ellis
All three awards will be formally presented during the 2007-08 OHL Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday June 4 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
