PRAPAVESSIS NAMED TOP DEFENCEMAN
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Michael Prapavessis (photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) of the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots has been named the recipient of the OJHL Baycon Construction Top Defenceman Award.
Prapavessis becomes the first defenceman in franchise history to win the league's Top Defenceman Award after leading all rearguards in scoring with 54 points, while also finishing second among all OJHL skaters with 49 assists.
Entering his second season with the Patriots and first full year in the OJHL, Prapavessis was one of the best blueliners in the entire league and was instrumental in the club's most successful season in franchise history. The Patriots captured both their first Division and Conference regular season titles, finishing third overall in the league with a 35-12-6 record for 76 points and a .717 winning percentage.
Logging heavy minutes, the 6'1", 180 lbs. native of Oakville, Ontario was the backbone of the league's second best power play unit (25.76%), finishing second among all skaters with 25 power play assists, factoring-in on almost half the club's power play goals (51). Named the OJHL's Most Gentlemanly Player earlier this week after recording a single minor penalty all season, Prapavessis finished tied for second on the Patriots in scoring, while topping the OJHL defensive scoring charts in assists, points and power play points.
Prapavessis was a member of Team Canada East that competed at the 2013 World Junior 'A' Challenge held in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, recording two assists in four games played, and led all OJHL rearguards in scoring with four points at the 2013 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, helping the South-West Conference All-Star Team finish as runner-up to the QJAAAHL. Following the season, Prapavessis became just the second player in four years to be named both a 1st Team All-Star and 1st Team All-Prospect in the same season. He was ranked 137th overall among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings for the 2014 NHL Draft and is committed to join the RPI Engineers next season.
The OJHL Top Defenceman Award is awarded annually to the defenceman adjudged to have demonstrated the greatest all-round ability at his position throughout the regular season.
Nick Desimone of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres is runner-up in the OJHL Award balloting to Prapavessis.
The first-year defender finished second among all OJHL defencemen with both 13 goals and 51 points, while finishing third with 38 assists. Desimone's point total ranked him fourth in scoring on the Jr. Sabres and he is committed to Union College for the 2014-15 season.
The Goaltender-of-the-Year Award recipient will be announced later this week.
2013-14 OJHL Award Winners
Award Winner Runner-Up
Top Scorer Taylor Best (WHI) Steve Hladin (GEO)
Top Goaltender Kevin Entmaa (AUR) Andy Munroe (AUR)
Executive Mike Tarantino (TLP) James Richmond (AUR)
Humanitarian Kevin Shier (TLP) n/a
Trainer Rob Crawford (WHI) Jason Izraelski (NYR)
Volunteer Hal Gies (MIL) n/a
Coach James Richmond (AUR) Jason Fortier (TLP)
Improved Taylor Best (WHI) Alex Tonge (KIN)
Gentlemanly Michael Prapavessis (TLP) Pat Egan (BUF)
Defenceman Michael Prapavessis (TLP) Nick Desimone (BUF)
Previous OJHL Top Defenceman Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2013-14 Michael Prapavessis (TLP) Nick Desimone (BUF)
2012-13 Patrick McCarron (STM) Chris Raguseo (WHI)
2011-12 Paul Geiger (STO) Anthony Mastrodicasa (VAU)
2010-11 Anthony Mastrodicasa (VAU) Luke Juha (BUR)
*Awarded by Division prior to 2010-11
Year OJAHL CCHL East CCHL West
2009-10 Kevin Christmas (KIN) Jeff Least (MAR) Justin Baker (STR)
Year Ruddock Central Phillips MacKinnon
2008-09 Stephane Chabot (KIN) Nicholas D'Agostino (STM) Nick Quinn (DIX) Chris Borges (GEO)
Jesse McConney (HUN)
Year South East North West
2007-08 Cody Hamilton (MAR) Kyle Crawford (WEL) Mike Ball (HUN) Evan Zych (GEO)
2006-07 Stephen Duffy (STM) Dan McIntyre (PTH) Quinn Waller (AUR) Josh Schrum (BUR)
2005-06 Ryan Annesey (PIC) Brodie Raine (PTH) Kyle Searle (COU) Jeff Caister (MIL)
2004-05 Davide Nicoletti (WEX) Tyler Cann (PTH) Simon Gysbers (STO) Shane Simms (BUF)
Armando Scarlatto (VAU)
2003-04 Jamie Coghlan (STM) David Smith (WEL) Jimmy Ball (NEW) Matthew French (MIL)
2002-03 Jamie Coghlan (STM) Graham Melbourne (TRE) Rob Godfrey (AUR) Dan Iliakas (GEO)
2001-02 Conrad Martin (WEX) Andrew Oke (LIN) Andrew Martin (COU) Billy Fetherstone (GEO)
Nick Rombough (NEW) David Thompson (BMP)
2000-01 Brent Mulder (THO) Jarrett Winn (COB) Derek McNamara (NEW) Matt English (BUF)
1999-00 Jamie Ritzkos (VAU) Randy Jones (COB) Eric Filiatrault (COL) Mark Strzoda (STR)
Year East Central West
1998-99 Cam Kincaid (KIN) Randy Dagenais (COL) Mike Schutte (BUR)
Year East West
1997-98 Joel Tarvudd (NEW) Wes Booker (HAM)
1996-97 Darryl Buttar (COB) Matt Smith (BRP)
1995-96 Darryl Latoski (COB) Kip Brennan (STM)
1994-95 Dan Harrison (NEW) Peter Kantzavelos (BRP)
1993-94 Chris Emerton (BAR) Justin Ball (OAK)
1992-93 Greg Snetsinger (LIN) Sandy Sajko (OAK)
