NEWS

The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Sean Kohler (photo courtesy of the Kohler Family) of the Oakville Blades has been named the 2014-15 recipient of the OJHL Humanitarian-of-the-Year Award.

The 17-year old Oakville, Ontario native is in his second OJHL season with his hometown Blades, having previously played two games in 2012-13 for the Aurora Tigers as an affiliated midget.  While one of the up-and-coming prospects for the Blades, it is off the ice, perhaps, where Kohler has excelled the most.

Sean Kohler has been involved in community based volunteering for years, dating back to his minor hockey days in the Oakville Rangers 'AAA' organization.  Along with assisting at minor hockey practices and being an instructor at hockey camps, he has volunteered annually at the local Fare Share Food Bank, raised funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, and is actively tutoring a younger student at Abby Park High School.  Since joining the Blades two years ago, Kohler's list of community involvement has grown through a number of Blades initiatives, including the most recent Pink in the Rink charity fundraiser.

While the high school Honour Roll student has been extremely active in his community, his real passion involves a more global reach.  In 2013, Kohler and his family travelled to rural Kenya as part of the Me to We/Free the Children program.  He would throw himself head-first into a hands-on experience, helping on rural build sites to construct schools for the local youth.  Immersing himself in the experience, Kohler dedicated countless hours and came away with a changed perspective on life.  Quoted in a Globe & Mail article from September 2013, Kohler would say, "The trip was perspective-changing.  It makes me realize how lucky I am and all the opportunities I have because of the education I received, a family that supports me, the home we have and all the technology. It provides me with an amazing environment to succeed. Seeing others who didn’t have that opportunity was life-changing."

Upon returning to Canada, Kohler's work didn't stop as he became an articulate and passionate ambassador for the program.  Along with the newspaper interview, he would visit local elementary school students, extolling the virtues of social activism and awareness.  His charismatic presentation led numerous students to join the Me to We club at Pilgrim Wood Public School, consequently raising thousands of dollars in support.

Following the conclusion of the 2014-15 season, he will once again be taking up the cause, this time travelling to rural India in July to continue building an already impressive legacy that he has left with those less fortunate than himself.

Drafted by the Erie Otters in the 6th round, 106th overall, of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, Kohler chose the OJHL route and his decision paid-off last year when he committed to the Penn State University Nittany Lions for the 2016-17 Big Ten Conference season.  After finishing with 31 points in 52 games played as a 16-year old rookie in 2013-14, Kohler posted 17 points in 39 regular season games this season.

The OJHL Humanitarian of the Year is awarded to the player adjudged to have made the most notable contribution to his community in a humanitarian sense, including, but not limited to charitable work, school visits and extra-curricular off-ice activities.

Stefano Durante of the Cobourg Cougars was runner-up in the OJHL award selection to Kohler.  

The OJHL Top Goaltender Award winner spent countless hours during his rookie season, participating in numerous off-ice initiatives with the Cobourg Cougars.  Durante led all members of the team with 35 volunteer hours and has quickly become a fan favourite locally, while assisting the disabled members of his billet family on a daily basis

Next week, the Volunteer-of-the-Year, Coach-of-the-Year and Most Improved Player Award recipients will be announced.

2014-15 OJHL Award Winners

Award                          Winner                                     Runner-Up                                         
Top Scorer                  Steve Hladin (GEO)               Brady Wiffen (TRE)
Top Goaltender           Stefano Durante (COB)          Daniel Mannella (OAK)
Executive                    Rob Campbell (OAK)              James Richmond (AUR)
Trainer                         Drew Laskoski (NEW)                       Sarah Dittmers (TRE)
Humanitarian               Sean Kohler (OAK)                 Stefano Durante (COB)

Previous OJHL Humanitarian-of-the-Year Recipients

Award                          Winner                                     Runner-Up                                         
2013-14                       Kevin Shier (TLP)                   n/a
2012-13                       Tyler Feaver (WHI)                 Josh Timpano (TRE)
2011-12                       Matt Dineen (NEW)                Adam Shibuya (TOR)