NEWS

The OJHL announced today that Trenton Golden Hawks alternate captain Brady Wiffen (photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month for January after recording a league-high 14 goals, along with 21 points, in 11 games played.

The OJHL’s second leading scorer, Wiffen continued his torrid scoring pace throughout January, firing home 14 goals to lead the entire league with 44 on the season.  His 21 points in the month ranked second behind leading scorer Steve Hladin and was compiled in 8 of the 11 contests, consisting of a five point game, a four point game with a hat trick and eight multi-point games.  Wiffen notched three game-winners, including both in back-to-back victories over division rival Whitby, to lead the Golden Hawks to a nearly perfect 10-0-1 record on the month, vaulting back into contention for the overall regular season title.

"It's is an honour to been selected OJHL Gong Show Player-of-the-Month by the coaches in our Conference,” said the league’s second leading scorer.  “I couldn't have come close to achieving this prestigious award without the help of my dedicated teammates. Thank you so much for the recognition."

"Brady over the last three seasons has really developed and become a complete player more than capable to play in any and all situations,” said Golden Hawks General Manager and Head Coach Jerome Dupont.  “His leadership has been instrumental in our success this season. He is a pro in the making." 

Brodie Tutton of the Stouffville Spirit was runner-up to Wiffen as the North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month.  The forward recorded 10 goals and 18 points in 12 games played throughout January.

Born on June 9, 1994, Brady Wiffen is a native of St. Marys, Ontario and grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown until Pee Wee, capturing the OMHA Championship in 2005-06.  The following year, Wiffen made the jump to the Huron-Perth Lakers ‘AAA’ organization and never looked back.

He would spend four years as a Laker, playing three games as a call-up to the minor midgets during his bantam season in 2008-09.  Wiffen then became one of the team’s leaders in 2009-10, finishing second on the team with 13 goals and fourth in overall scoring with 25 points, while helping the club earn a spot in the prestigious OHL Cup tournament that spring.  When the season ended, Wiffen would be selected by the Kingston Frontenacs in the 9th round, 170th overall, of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.

The 20-year old kicked-off his junior career that season as well with his hometown Junior 'B' Lincolns as an affiliate, notching his first junior goal during a two game stint.  After a productive rookie campaign that saw him record 21 points in 50 games played, Wiffen broke out in 2011-12.  He would lead the Lincolns with 27 goals, while finishing second with 53 points, and participate in both the GOJHL Top Prospects Game that was held in LaSalle, Ontario, as well as for the Western Conference All-Star Team at the All-Star Game held in St. Thomas.

He would then be recruited by the Golden Hawks and has not disappointed during his two year tenure in Trenton.  As an OJHL rookie, Wiffen notched a respectable 12 goals and 26 points in 53 games as a rookie, helping Trenton capture the OJHL regular season crown, before taking his game to another level last year.  Wiffen led the Hawks with 28 goals, while finishing third on the club with 54 points in 52 regular season contests.  His efforts earned selection as a member of the North-East Conference All-Star Team that competed at the 2013 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Terrebonne, Quebec.  After hitting a dry-spell with only 3 points in 14 post-season contests last year, Wiffen looks to be a leader on a veteran Golden Hawks squad and has started the 2014-15 season on a tear with 7 goals and 13 points in 6 games played to sit among the league leaders in scoring.

Thus far this season, Wiffen has been at or near the top of the league’s scoring charts all season long, looking to cap-off his junior career in style.  Early in the season, he officially committed to RPI for next year, and he would participate as a member of Team OJHL Hawerchuk at the 2014 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Toronto.