NEWS

The OJHL announced today that Hamilton Red Wings forward Laine McKay (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for February after recording 14 points in 7 games during a late season playoff push.  

The Red Wings third leading scorer this season, McKay notched points in six of the club's seven February contests, finishing with two points-per-game down the stretch as the Red Wings battle for the final playoff position in the South-West Conference came down to the final days of the season.  The rookie had four multi-point efforts, including a four point outing in an 8-1 victory over St. Michael's and a pair of three point matches.  McKay tallied six goals in February that saw him score a pair in a 6-5 win over Lindsay and the game-winner in a 6-5, all-important, divisional victory over Orangeville.

"I think that I started my year a little slower than I would've liked," said McKay.  "Once our new coach (Mike Galati) took over the head coaching role I think I started to play a lot better and with more confidence.  From there, I felt I got better each game up until the end of my season. I was fortunate enough to have a coach like Mike that had lots of confidence and trusted me in key situations, which I think really helped me develop and get better as the year progressed. Towards the end of the season we made a pretty good playoff push which I was able to contribute in not only with good point numbers, but defensively and on the penalty kill as well. With receiving this award, as well as earning a scholarship to Merrimack College, it is just nice to know that my efforts and hard work was appreciated and didn't go unnoticed."

"Laine has been great for us in the last couple months since my arrival to Hamilton," said Red Wings Head Coach Mike Galati.  "He's been a player I've used in all situations.  He competes hard and can play in both ends.  He is very deserving as he has been especially good in the month of February and a big part or our late season push for a playoff spot.  His play has also earned him a commitment to a great program at Merrimack.  Very happy for him, congratulations Laine!"

Mitch Emerson of the Toronto Patriots was runner-up to McKay as the South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month.  A trade deadline acquisition from Pickering, Emerson recorded 14 points in 7 games to help the Pats clinch a second consecutive South Division regular season title.

Born on January 4, 1997, Laine McKay grew-up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, initially playing his minor hockey in the Neebing Hawks Minor Hockey Association, before joining the famed Thunder Bay Kings 'AAA' program.

McKay would go on to star with the Kings, helping lead them to multiple Hockey Northwestern Ontario Branch Championships, and competing at the provincials.  During his Bantam 'AAA' season in 2011-12, McKay would register 61 goals and 121 points in just 82 games played.  The following year, he 61 goals and 144 points in 86 games as a minor midget. Following the season, McKay was selected by the Plymouth Whalers in the fifth round, 87th overall, of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

Returning to the Kings for his midget season, McKay once again helped the Kings capture the Branch Championship with a two games to one victory over Kenora and then went on to compete at the 2014 Telus Cup Western Regional Championship that was held in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.  During the season, the speedy forward would get the call-up to the SIJHL's Thunder Bay North Stars, playing his first three games of junior hockey.

Recruited during the off-season by the Red Wings, McKay made the move south to Hamilton.  A quick start to the season saw him notch 11 points in his first 8 OJHL contests as the Red Wings got off to a good start.  The early season efforts saw McKay named to Team OJHL Nieuwendyk that finished as runner-up at the 2014 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge held in Toronto and last month he scored the opening goal for Team East in a 3-2 loss at the 2015 CJHL Prospects Game that was held in Oakville.

Most recently, McKay's efforts and development were recognized when he confirmed his commitment to join the Merrimack College Warriors, NCAA Division I program, beginning with the 2017-18 Hockey East season.