NEWS

The OJHL announced today that Aurora Tigers netminder Kevin Entmaa (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear Goaltender-of-the-Month after posting an undefeated 8-0-0 record with a 1.48 goals against average in the month of January.  

After being named runner-up for the award in November and winning the award in December, Entmaa continued to defy the odds and improve upon his statistical numbers, becoming the first player to repeat as a Gongshow Gear Player-of-the-Month since CJHL Player of the Year Christian Finch (Stouffville) won in November and December of 2011.  His undefeated month helped the Tigers capture their second consecutive North Division regular season title with a 1.48 goals against average and .946 save percentage.  Sitting on a nine game winning streak entering February, his month was highlighted by a 39 save, 2-1 victory over Wellington and a 38 save, 2-1 victory over Oakville.  The netminder has lost only twice since October 25 with a 22-2-0 record, four shutouts and only 41 goals against.  He currently leads the OJHL with five shutouts, a 2.01 goals against average and .931 save percentage.

"Kevin Entmaa has worked very hard over his 2.5 years with the Aurora Tigers to become the premier goalie he is today," said Tigers General Manager and Head Coach James Richmond.  "He is the biggest reason the team is repeating as OJHL North Division Champions and we couldn't be more proud of Kevin.  As his numbers and winning record states, he is a good goalie, but he is even a better teammate and person. The Aurora Tigers would like to Congratulate Kevin on a super 8 and 0 January...well done Mawsy."

"Kevin has developed into the complete goalie," added Tigers' Goalie Coach John Ceci.  "His  performance on the ice, as well as his focus and dedication to improving his game, has proven him to be an elite goalie."

"It is undeniably a huge accomplishment to be named Goalie-of-the-Month in consecutive months," said Entmaa.  "However, with playoffs around the corner, there is no time to bask on personal accolades. With our team clinching our second North (Division) title in two years, we now look forward to reaching our next goal, which is to finish first in the entire OJHL to maintain home ice advantage for playoffs. I believe our team has potential to make a long run this year with the depth we have on the ice and in the locker room. I am definitely looking forward to starting the next chapter of our season together." 

Evan Buitenhuis of the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots was runner-up to Entmaa as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month.  Buitenhuis posted a 5-1-1 record with a 1.66 goals against average and .947 save percentage.

Born on June 7, 1994 in Milton, Ontario, Kevin Entmaa came by his sporting genes honestly with his grandfather, Kalja, an accomplished soccer player, and his father, Raimond, a swimmer.  The youngster, however, would take to the game of hockey and quickly worked his way up the ranks, joining the Halton Hurricanes 'AAA' organization, where he would lead them to an OMHA Atom 'AAA' Championship in 2004-05.

Entmaa would later join the Oakville Rangers for his minor midget and midget seasons from 2009-11.  While in Oakville, he would participate in the prestigious OHL Cup tournament in 2009-10 and then win his second OMHA title in 2010-11, leading the Rangers to a 5-1 victory over Whitby in the championship game while earning MVP honours for his efforts.  That season Entmaa also got his first taste of junior action, getting the call to play a single game for the Oakville Blades.

With his stock on the rise, Entmaa would attend the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds training camp in the Fall of 2011, but would ultimately join the Aurora Tigers after being cut from camp.  The 17-year old rookie would back-up teammate Brett Sinclair and make the most of his first junior opportunity, posting a 12-3-1 record with one shutout, a 2.28 goals against average (sixth best in the OJHL) and .930 save percentage (second best in the OJHL).  His efforts earned the young star OJHL 2nd Team All-Prospect honours. 

Entering the 2012-13 season, Entmaa had established himself as a consistent performer in the OJHL and would ultimately split the netminding duties with Sinclair.  His continued stellar play earned the backstop an invite to the Team Canada East Final Selection Camp, as well as a spot on the North Division All-Star Team that would compete at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Wellington, Ontario.  He parlayed those experiences into another tremendous season, finishing the year with the league's eighth best goals against average of 2.52, while helping the Tigers to their first regular season Divisional title since 2007.

This season as the club's clear number one starter, Entmaa has continually improved from month-to-month and helped the Tigers capture a second consecutive North Division title, while also competing for the North-East Conference crown and a lengthy post-season run.