OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month
Published on January 19, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release
Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for December.
West Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for December in the West Division is right winger Austin Watson of the Windsor Spitfires. Watson, 17, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan is currently enrolled at St. Anne's High School in Tecumseh. "Austin currently maintains a 75% average while adjusting to his first season in the OHL. He is a pleasure to be around." commented Dennis Gignac, Academic Advisor for the Windsor Spitfires. Watson was a second round selection of the Spitfires in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.
Midwest Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for December in the Midwest Division is center Steven Shipley of the Owen Sound Attack Hockey Club. Shipley, 16, a native of Ilderton, Ontario currently is a Grade 11 student at West Hill Secondary School in Owen Sound. Shipley's teachers describe him as "a dedicated student with strong writing skills and good work habits. Steven is a very pleasant individual and always has a smile on his face." Shipley, recently won gold with Team Ontario at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge and was Owen Sound's 1st round selection, 3rd overall in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.
Central Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for December in the Central Division is defenceman Josh McFadden of the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors. McFadden, 17, a native of Guelph, Ontario is a Grade 12 student at Philip Pocock Secondary School in Mississauga. Majors Academic Advisor Kimberley Bailey had this to say about McFadden, "Josh has been doing very well in high school this term. He is taking four out of four courses and is maintaining his 76% average."
East Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for December in the East Division is right winger Tony Romano of the Peterborough Petes Hockey Club. Romano, 21, a native of Smithville, New York, is currently attending Trent University. "Tony is an open minded, mature young man who is very good at thinking outside the box. He takes initiative in his academics and takes his courses seriously. He meets all deadlines and takes responsibility for his studies and is a pleasure to have, "commented Janet Wylie, Academic Advisor for the Petes. Romano, committed to the London Knights and the Ontario Hockey League in 2008 after playing one season at Cornell University.
Each month, the OHL recognizes a player from each Division who is striving to reach his full potential in his educational program while playing in the Ontario Hockey League.
90% of the players currently playing in the Ontario Hockey League are attending high school or post-secondary institutions. For the 2007-08 playing season, 189 OHL graduates are currently attending Canadian universities on scholarships from their OHL teams.
The Ontario Hockey League recently awarded 316 scholarships to current and former OHL players.
2008-09 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
West Division
December - Austin Watson, Windsor Spitfires
November - Tyler McGee, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
October - Nathan Chiarlitti, Sarnia Sting
Midwest Division
December - Steven Shipley, Owen Sound Attack
November - Tucker Hunter, London Knights
October - Jeff Skinner, Kitchener Rangers
Central Division
December - Josh McFadden, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
November - Marcus Foligno, Sudbury Wolves
October - Freddie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs
East Division
December - Tony Romano, Peterborough Petes
November - Brian Birkhoff, Ottawa 67's
October - Kevin Bailie, Oshawa Generals
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2009
- Watson Named the OHL's West Division and Spits Academic Player of the Month for December - Windsor Spitfires
- John Tavares, London Snap Plymouth's Three-Game Winning Streak - Plymouth Whalers
- Generals' Parnham named Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week - OHL
- McFadden Named OHL Academic Player of the Month - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
- OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month - OHL
- Spitfires Announce White Out Night For This Thursday's Home Game - Windsor Spitfires
- Attack to Unveil Tenth Anniversary Logo - Owen Sound Attack
- Matt Kennedy Grand & Toy Player Of The Week - Guelph Storm
- Justin Shugg Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week - Windsor Spitfires
- Eagles Nest Notes - Saginaw Spirit
- Kolomatis Becker Shoes Attacker Of The Week - Owen Sound Attack
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