COURT NAMED SCHOLASTIC PLAYER-OF-YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Richard Court (photo credit - Amy Deroche/OJHL Images) of the Georgetown Raiders has been named the recipient of the OJHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Award and has been selected as the league’s nominee for the annual RBC Junior ‘A’ Scholarship awarded by RBC in conjunction with Hockey Canada.
Along with receiving the annual OJHL Award, Court will receive a $1,000 scholarship from RBC and will be one of 10 finalists (one from each member of the CJHL) in the running for an additional $5,000 national scholarship award that will be presented during the 2014 RBC Cup, National Junior 'A' Championship being held in Vernon, B.C.
The Burlington, Ontario native got his start as a member of his hometown Eagles 'AAA' organization. After a season with the Vaughan Kings 'AAA' squad, Court spent his minor midget year with the Brampton Battalion before returning home in 2011-12 to finish his midget career with the Eagles, while also playing high school hockey for the Appleby College Varsity club.
The energetic, hard-working forward joined the Raiders as a 17-year old rookie in 2012-13. Getting acquainted with the junior game and although not playing significant minutes on a talent-laden club, Court's work ethic was second-to-none and he saw significant improvement throughout the season. Finishing the year with four goals and seven points in 46 regular season games played, while also getting his first taste of playoff action, Court learned how to be a leader at the Junior 'A' level. Named an alternate captain this season, his dedication both on and off the ice is exemplary and second to none on the Raiders, leading by example. More than tripling his offensive production by registering 22 points in 51 games, Court has helped lead Georgetown back to the Conference Championship Series.
Extremely focused on reaching and achieving his goals, Court has excelled and maintained a high-level of excellence in the classroom while participating in elite level sports. He has carried an above 90% average throughout his secondary school career, including a 93% average thus far in grade 12 as he closes in on graduation from Appleby College, looking to continue his education at a post-secondary school institution while playing hockey in the NCAA or CIS. Court has received numerous academic honours throughout high school, including the Ontario Scholar Award in 2009 and 2010, First Class Honours with Distinction in 2010, Silver Optimates 2012, Gold Optimates 2013, Highest Achieving English Student in 2013/14 and the Georgetown Raiders' Highest Academic Achievement in a Player Award for the 2012/13 season.
If his hockey and scholastic careers were not enough to keep Court busy, he also continues to take part in numerous other off-ice endeavours and extracurricular activities. He has been a member of Appleby College's Varsity Tennis Team for two years, as well as a member of the Yearbook Committee and most recently a Senior Fitness Monitor. After volunteering with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides last year, including raising money during a school fundraiser, he this year helped organize a team fundraiser in collaboration with the Mayor of Georgetown that raised more than $5,400 for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Halton Region. Court also took the opportunity to become a Big Brother for a 10-year old boy, while also helping raise money for the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program and the Toys for Christmas fundraising program.
The OJHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Award is awarded annually to the player adjudged to best combine success on the ice with his club, along with success in school.
Kamil Tkaczuk of the Oakville Blades is the runner-up in the OJHL Award selection to Court.
The native of Oakville, Ontario recently completed his first year in the OJHL, recording 28 points in 52 regular season games played to finish sixth on the Blades in scoring. Currently in his first year of the Commerce Program at McMaster University, Tkaczuk was an Honour Roll student throughout his four years at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School, receiving the McMaster Dean Scholarship as the top applicant of all that applied in 2013.
The OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year and Most Valuable Player Award recipients will be announced next 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)
Scholastic Richard Court (GEO) Kamil Tkaczuk (OAK)
Previous OJHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2013-14 Richard Court (Georgetown) Kamil Tkaczuk (OAK)
2012-13 Jordan Dunin (Newmarket) Evan Jasper (COB)
2011-12 Adam Shibuya (TOR) Rob Simpson (TLP)
