HLADIN NAMED SW PLAYER-OF-THE-MONTH
The OJHL announced today that Georgetown Raiders captain Steve Hladin has been named the Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for October after recording 20 points in 9 games played during the month.
The Mississauga, Ontario native has become the offensive catalyst of the Raiders attack, leading the team and currently sitting third in league scoring with 32 points in 20 games played thus far. Hladin went on a tear during October, recording points in eight of nine games, including five multi-point games. Twice he registered four point outings, versus division rivals, Hamilton and Milton, and three times he notched three points, including a hat trick against Mississauga. Finishing the month on a goal-per-game pace, Hladin led the Raiders back into the hunt in the South-West Conference standings.
"I'd like to thank the OJHL for recognizing my play throughout the month of October by awarding me the Gongshow Player-of-the-Month," said Hladin. "It is a huge honour. I'd like to thank the coaching staff in Georgetown for giving me the opportunity to succeed and for helping me grow along the way. I'd also like to thank my teammates and linemates that I have played with this year for the support. I hope this award is a start to me furthering my hockey career and pursuing my NCAA dreams."
"Steve has had a great start to the season," said Raiders General Manager and Head Coach Greg Walters. “He leads our team on-and-off the ice in every aspect. The best part of Steve's game is that he cares as much about his own end of the ice as he does about the offensive end."
Nick DeSimone of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres was runner-up to Hladin as the South-East Conference Player-of-the-Month. The OJHL's leading scorer among defencemen, DeSimone finished second on the Sabres in scoring during October with 16 points in 12 games played.
Born on December 27, 1994 in Mississauga, Ontario, Steve Hladin would play his entire minor hockey career in his hometown with the Mississauga Senators ‘AAA’ organization, as well as playing for his Michael Power-St. Joseph High School Varsity Boys club.
Often one of the Senators most prolific scorers, Hladin received his first taste of junior hockey with the Georgetown Raiders in 2010-11 as a 16-year old, recording one assist in five games played.
Hladin made the full-time jump to the OJHL in 2011-12 with the Vaughan Vipers and despite being a rookie, was one of the club’s most consistent players all season. He would finish fifth on the Vipers in scoring with 39 points in 42 games played, while also notching 12 power play points and 3 game-winning goals.
Following the season, with the Vipers suspending operations, Hladin became a free agent and would turn down some offers to join the OHL, opting instead to keep his NCAA eligibility and joined the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL to start this year. Off to a disappointing start with just one assist in six games played, the decision was made to return to his roots, joining the Georgetown Raiders, who were led by Greg Walters, also head coach for Team Canada East. Hladin would earn a spot on the roster and represent Canada East the 2012 World Junior 'A' Challenge in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He would then be named to the OJHL West Division All-Star Team that competed at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge held in Wellington, Ontario. After finishing the year with career-highs of 22 goals and 42 points, Hladin notched another eight points in the post-season.
Entering this season, the 18-year old is already a veteran of the Junior 'A' game and looks to lead the young Raiders to success, being named captain, while leading the club both on-and-off the ice
