NEWS

The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) today announced that Jake Walman (photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens has been named the OJHL Top Prospect Award as selected by NHL Central Scouting.

The 18-year old was a pleasant surprise on the Jr. Canadiens blueline this season and shot up the scouting radar throughout the course of his rookie OJHL season with a smooth-skating blend of both offensive and defensive two-way play.

"Jake Walman is a dynamic two-way defenceman who is quite effective at skating and moving the puck," said Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr.  "A strong skater who plays with a presence both with and without the puck.   He has a good understanding of positioning and can play the game with authority. A player that is utilized in all situations, his development in the OJHL has prepared him for his upcoming move to Providence College."

The 6'1", 175 lbs. native of Toronto, Ontario was counted on to play in all situations including key minutes on special teams and against the other teams’ top lines.  A huge part of the Jr. Canadiens offence, Walman recorded 7 goals, 26 assists and 33 points in 43 regular season games played, ranking him second on the club among rearguards.  The impressive rookie totals also ranked him among the league's best defenders, including 16th in goals, 13th in assists and 14th overall in scoring.  Not one to shy away from the physical game, Walman also recorded 87 penalty minutes to finish fifth on the team.

Other highlights of Walman’s impressive rookie campaign included being named a member of Team Canada East and competing at the 2013 World Junior 'A' Challenge held in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  He was also a member of the OJHL South-East Conference All-Star Team that would finish as runner-up to the host QJAAAHL at the 2013 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Terrebonne, Quebec.  Following the season, Walman was named an OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect and in January he was the top-ranked OJHL player, 60th among North American skaters, by NHL Central Scouting in the mid-term ranking for the 2014 NHL Draft.  Walman is committed to join the Providence College Friars beginning with the 2014-15 Hockey East season.

The OJHL Top Prospect Award is awarded annually to the player selected by NHL Central Scouting as the top-ranked draft eligible prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft.

Jake Evans of the St. Michael's Buzzers has been named runner-up to Walman as OJHL Top Prospect.  

The 17-year old sophomore, who was named runner-up as OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year last season and captured an OJHL Championship with the Buzzers, continued his progression throughout the 2013-14 season.  Evans finished second in scoring on the club with 63 points and was tied for fourth in the entire OJHL with 47 assists, while earning Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for February.

"Jake Evans is a skilled forward who has excellent speed and quickness," said Marr.  "His offensive hockey sense is very strong, he is able control and set the pace of the play and has strong play making skills on the power play.  As the season went on his game grew and he was the OJHL Player-of-the-Month.  He is expected to attend Notre Dame this fall."

The OJHL Scholastic Player-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)
Goaltender                  Kevin Entmaa (AUR)              Alex Brooks-Potts (KIN)
Prospect                     Jake Walman (TOR)              Jake Evans (STM)

Previous OJHL Top Prospect Recipients

Year                            Winner                                     Runner-Up                                                                 

2013-14                       Jake Walman (TOR)              Jake Evans (STM)
2012-13                       Matt Buckles (STM)                Troy Josephs (STM)
2011-12                       Devin Shore (WHI)                 James de Haas (TLP)