2013-14 Award Winners Announced
Published on March 15, 2014 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release
The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club held their 2014 Awards Banquet earlier this evening at the Quattro Conference Centre here in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.
Team representatives joined players, billets, families, friends and special guests in awarding eleven individual team awards along with milestone achievement awards to others.
To conclude the night Hounds' Matt Murray (4 year player) and overagers Patrick Watling, Tyler Gaudet and Andrew Fritsch were honoured with a special video tribute.
(NOTE - Fans attending Sunday's game vs London, are asked to be in their seats at 1:45 p.m. for the special pre-game ceremony for these four players)
Award winner's were:
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
In 60 games in his first season with the Hounds, this player is just shy of twenty goals.
A member of Team Ontario at the 2014 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge, he scored his first-career goal in his 8th career game played.
He was the Hounds 1st Round selection in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection and is from here in the Lock City.
BLAKE SPEERS"¨
DR. BILL KELLY AWARD (MOST GENTLEMANLY PLAYER
One year ago he was co-recipient of the team's Rookie of the Year honours.ÃÂ
In 66 games played in 2013-14 he has a mere 22 penalty minutes.
SERGEY TOLCHINSKY"¨
MIKE DESJARDINS MEMORIAL TROPHY (BEST DEFENCEMAN)
First selection to the Hounds, and first round selection to the NHL.
In his 3rd season as a member of the Hounds he is the club's leading scoring defenceman and earlier this year was named to Team OHL for the Subway Super Series.
One year ago he was a three-time award winner at this very event, and after starting the year being named the club's captain he is the recipient of this award.
DARNELL NURSE"¨
SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
A Student at St. Mary's College, this player amassed a 91% average through the first semester this year while he presently is enrolled in English, Science, Biology and Religion."¨
BLAKE SPEERS
RED STAR THREE STAR AWARD
In 49 starts this player has been selected one of the game's three stars on twenty-two separate occasions.
Ten first star honours, 7 second star honours and 5 first star honours.
MATT MURRAY"¨
SAULT STAR TROPHY (UNSUNG HERO)
Most goals, near career season pointwise but it's so many other aspects of his game that go noticed, and unnoticed in his steady and strong defensive game.
He is the recipient of this award for the 2nd straight season.
ALEX GUDBRANSON"¨
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Our organization takes great pride in our involvement off the ice, and the impact it has on those both young and old.
One of the most frequent and rewarding appearances is to our local hospital, and this player has been part of those events along with many others here in his hometown."¨
PATRICK WATLING"¨
ESPOSITO TROPHY (TOP SCORER)
Presently with a 91 point season, this player has improved on his stats from his rookie season by an over 40 point margin.
Averaging nearly a point and a half per game he has 13 powerplay goals that are part of his 31 on the season, including the one that was seen across the world from last weekend in Sarnia."¨
SERGEY TOLCHINSKY
PINO'S AWARD (MOST IMPROVED PLAYER)
His rise in 2013-14 may have come to a surprise to those on the outside, but for anyone that knows him knows the time, dedication and hard work he puts into his game.
From 8 points in half of last season to over 60 points this year.
Nearly 30 goals, an impressive +25 mark.ÃÂ
And ultimately he has has paved his way from Jr. A to Major Jr and to the start of an NHL career."¨
TYLER GAUDET"¨
ROCK 101 TROPHY (REGULAR SEASON MVP)
He is a franchise player.
Playing four seasons for the Hounds, this player has set a franchise record for shutouts in a season, and has 10 in total in his career thus far.
A 33-11-15 record, he has helped backstop the club to it's first West Division championship for the first time since 2008.
Earlier awarded for his 3-star honours.
"¨MATT MURRAY"¨
PETE TAYLOR MEMORIAL TROPHY (PLAYERS' PLAYER)
He will come to the front for the second time this evening.
In an award voted on by the players, for a player he is honoured with the ... Hamilton, ON product
TYLER GAUDET
The milestone awards recognized achievements of Hounds' players throughout the 2013-14 season.ÃÂ Receiving specialized plaques along with the game puck from those games were:
Sergey Tolchinsky
1st Career OHL Hat Trick
September 28, 2013ÃÂ vs Barrie Colts
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Jared McCann
1st Career OHL Hat Trick
September 21, 2013ÃÂ vs Sudbury Wolves
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Jorgen Karterud
1st Career OHL Goal
September 21, 2013ÃÂ vs Sudbury Wolves
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Brandon Halverson
1st Career OHL Win & Shutout
October 5, 2013ÃÂ vs Belleville Bulls
Yardman ArenaÃÂ Belleville, ON
Michael Bunting
1st Career OHL Goal
September 21, 2013ÃÂ vs Sudbury Wolves
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
David Miller
1st Career OHL Goal
October 5, 2013ÃÂ vs Belleville Bulls
Yardman ArenaÃÂ Belleville, ON
Blake Speers
1st Career OHL Goal
October 12, 2013ÃÂ vs Windsor Spitfires
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Kyle Jenkins
1st Career OHL Goal
October 12, 2013ÃÂ vs Windsor Spitfires
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Michael Bunting
1st Career OHL Hat Trick
October 23, 2013ÃÂ vs Sarnia Sting
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Andrew Fritsch
100th Career OHL Goal
January 26, 2014ÃÂ vs Plymouth Whalers
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Matt Murray
6th Shutout of the Season - Soo Greyhounds Single Season Record
February 1, 2014ÃÂ vs Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Community ArenaÃÂ Sudbury, ON
Tyler Ganly
1st Career OHL Goal
January 19, 2014ÃÂ vs Owen Sound Attack
Harry Lumley Bayshore Community CentreÃÂ Owen Sound, ON
Bryan Moore
1st Career OHL Hat Trick
February 22, 2014ÃÂ vs Erie Otters
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Charley Graaskamp
1st Career OHL Goal
March 14, 2014ÃÂ vs Saginaw Spirit
Essar CentreÃÂ Sault Ste. Marie, ON
The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club would like to thank Rod, and the entire staff at Quattro Conference Centre for the outstanding hospitality on the night.
And congratulate all of this year's award winners!
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2014
- Toronto Jr. Canadiens and Toronto Marlboros to Play for OHL Cup - OHL
- 2013-14 Award Winners Announced - Soo Greyhounds
- Season Ends for Sting - Sarnia Sting
- Otters Clinch Third in West in Win over Sting - Erie Otters
- Saginaw Faces off with London at the Dow Event Center - Saginaw Spirit
- Whalers Top Spits to Wrap Regular Season - Windsor Spitfires
- Sting Fall in Guelph - Sarnia Sting
- Sting Win in Shootout Thriller - Sarnia Sting
- Steelheads Silence IceDogs - Brampton Steelheads
- Steelheads Preview - Brampton Steelheads
- Titlist Troops Host Desperate 67's - North Bay Battalion
- Battalion Captures Central Crown - North Bay Battalion
- Generals Drop Final Away Game - Oshawa Generals
- Generals Hand Bulls Overtime Loss - Oshawa Generals
- Game Day: Generals vs Bulls - Oshawa Generals
- Morning Skate: Veterans Ready for Memorable Night - Belleville Bulls
- Bulls Go Down Battling in 3-2 OT Loss - Belleville Bulls
- Wolves Drop 5-3 Decision to Battalion - Sudbury Wolves
- Eastern Conference Quarter Final Playoff Schedule Announced - Peterborough Petes
- Plymouth Whalers Draw Guelph Storm in First Round OHL Playoff Series - Plymouth Whalers
- Eastern Conference Quarter Final Playoff Schedule Announced - Kingston Frontenacs
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