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Mississauga Steelheads

Day and LeBlanc Named to OHL's 2nd All-Rookie Team

April 4, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga Steelheads News Release


Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Travis Konecny of the Ottawa 67's is the 2013-14 recipient of the Emms Family Award presented to the OHL's Rookie of the Year.

Konecny, a 17-year-old from Clachan, ON, led all OHL rookies in scoring with 70 points in 63 games including a rookie-high 26 goals plus 44 assists while recording just 18 penalty minutes.

"It's an honour to be recognized in such a way and it really means a lot to me," Konecny said. "I'd like to thank Coach Byrne and the entire Ottawa 67's staff for their help. I'd also like to thank my teammates who welcomed me from the beginning and helped me day by day. My billets were amazing for me, they made me feel right at home, which helps when home isn't too close. I'd also like to thank my family and friends for the great support they gave me consistently throughout the season. And thanks to the 67's fans for their support. I know everyone is excited to see us back at Lansdowne and the new TD Place next year, and I'm already looking forward to it too and playing there for the first time."

Selected by the 67's first overall in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, Konecny led the team in scoring posting the highest point total by a 67's rookie since Jerrett DeFazio's 71 points during the 1988-89 season. Konecny earned OHL Rookie of the Month honours four of the six times it was awarded producing 20 multi-point games this season highlighted by a career-high four-point game with two goals and two assists as first star of an 8-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires on January 9. The former Elgin-Middlesex Chief and ALLIANCE Player of the Year also captained Team Ontario at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

"Travis had an exceptional first season in the Ontario Hockey League," said 67's GM/Coach Chris Byrne. "He quickly adjusted to the league, worked hard to get better and was a top player on our team and within the league. Travis has worked extremely hard to put himself in a position to win this award and deserves all the credit for doing so."

Konecny becomes the third member of the 67's to be named OHL Rookie of the Year since the award was first presented in 1973 following Bruce Cassidy in 1982-83 and Andrew Cassels in 1986-87. He is also the third straight player and seventh since 1993 to win both the Jack Ferguson Award and Emms Family Award following previous top picks Connor McDavid (Erie Otters 2012-13), Aaron Ekblad ( Barrie Colts 2011-12), John Tavares (Oshawa Generals 2005-06), Rob Schremp (Mississauga IceDogs 2002-03), Patrick O'Sullivan (Mississauga IceDogs 2001-02), and Jeff O'Neill (Guelph Storm 1992-93).

The Emms Family Award was donated by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of the Barrie, Niagara Falls, and St. Catharines OHL franchises. The award is selected by all 20 member club General Managers. Teams were asked to submit only one nominee from their own club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club. Players received five points for a first vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.

Konecny finished first in voting with 91 points out of a maximum 95. Runner-up for the award was Mitchell Marner of the London Knights with 37 voting points, followed by Andrew Mangiapane of the Barrie Colts who received 21 points in the voting process.

Konecny was also named to the First All-Rookie team at centre joined by Mangiapane on left wing and Blake Speers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at right wing. First team defencemen include Travis Dermott of the Erie Otters with Mitchell Vande Sompel of the Oshawa Generals, and the Colts' Mackenzie Blackwood in goal.

The second All-Rookie team features Marner at centre between left winger Lawson Crouse of the Kingston Fronteancs and Nick Magyar of the Kitchener Rangers. A pair of Mississauga Steelheads are second team defencemen including Stefan LeBlanc and Sean Day, while Matthew Mancina of the Guelph Storm is in goal.

The OHL All-Rookie Teams were also selected by the OHL's General Managers. Players were voted on initially by position within their conference receiving five points for a first place vote, three for a second place vote, and one for a third. Top vote getters in each position made up the final ballot that was then circulated to all 20 teams.

2013-14 OHL All-Rookie Teams (voting points in brackets):

First Team:

Centre - Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67's (91)

Left Wing - Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie Colts (68)

Right Wing - Blake Speers, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (81)

Defence - Travis Dermott, Erie Otters (66)

Defence - Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa Generals (50)

Goaltender - Mackenzie Blackwood, Barrie Colts (72)

Second Team:

Centre - Mitchell Marner, London Knights (56)

Left Wing - Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (59)

Right Wing - Nick Magyar, Kitchener Rangers (45)

Defence - Stefan LeBlanc, Mississauga Steelheads (45)

Defence - Sean Day, Mississauga Steelheads (43)

Goaltender - Matthew Mancina, Guelph Storm (58)

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