HLADIN NAMED MOST GENTLEMANLY
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Steve Hladin (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) of the Georgetown Raiders has been named the recipient of the OJHL Most Gentlemanly Player Award.
Hladin becomes the first member of the Georgetown Raiders to win the Most Gentlemanly Player Award after leading the league in scoring with 104 points, while recording just six penalty minutes in 52 regular season games played this season.
Also named a 1st Team All-Star for the second consecutive year, Hladin dominated the scoring charts from start to finish and was instrumental in the Raiders capturing their first West Division and South-West Conference titles since 2011-12, when they also won the OJHL Regular Season Championship. The dominant offensive force would be in on more than 50% of the club's 204 goals scored during the season.
The Mississauga, Ontario native not only led the league in scoring, but also in assists with 63 on the season, while finishing third with 41 goals. Hladin accomplished all of this while being called for just three minor penalties on the season. After recording a tripping and a holding minor in the first 11 games of the year, the Raiders captain would record just one further penalty during the remaining 43 games played; a minor penalty during a victory over St. Michael's on January 10. A leader both on and off the ice for the Raiders, Hladin's sportsmanship was an example to all of his teammates and players throughout the league.
Hladin would be named the OJHL Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for January and was named runner-up for the award in both September and December. He would be named a member of Team OJHL Oates at the 2014 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Toronto, tallying three points in five games, and helped capture the tournament title with a 4-0 victory over Team OJHL Nieuwendyk, notching an assist during the championship game. Following the 2014-15 season, Hladin is committed to join the NCAA Division I, Sacred Heart University Pioneers of the Atlantic Hockey Conference.
The OJHL Most Gentlemanly Player Award is awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, combined with a high-standard and proficiency of on-ice playing ability throughout the regular season.
Gabriel Valenzuela of the North York Rangers is runner-up in the OJHL Award balloting to Hladin.
The OJHL's Most Improved Player and a 2nd Team All-Star, Valenzuela performed at an elite level throughout the 2014-15 season while also being one of the league's most gentlemanly players. He was called for just 13 minor penalties in 53 games played this season, while recording 34 goals and 76 points to finish fifth in OJHL scoring.
The OJHL Top Defenceman and Goaltender-of-the-Year Award recipients will be announced later this week.
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)
Volunteer John McDonald (TRE) Kim Anderson (NEW)
Coach James Richmond (AUR) Jamie Caruso (ORA)
Most Improved Gabriel Valenzuela (NYR) Brady Wiffen (TRE)
Most Gentlemanly Steve Hladin (GEO) Gabriel Valenzuela (NYR)
Previous OJHL Most Gentlemanly Player Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2013-14 Michael Prapavessis (TLP) Pat Egan (BUF)
2012-13 Dean Klomp (LIN) Jonah Renouf (OAK)
2011-12 Dylan Goddard (COB) Morgan Bonner (NEW)
2010-11 Zach Hyman (HAM) Blake Sexton (COB)
*Awarded by Division prior to 2010-11
Year OJAHL CCHL East CCHL West
2009-10 Lucas Van Natter (AUR) Jeremy Franklin (WEL) Jacob Mooney (NYR)
Year Ruddock Central Phillips MacKinnon
2008-09 Jeremy McCarty (PTH) Nathan Pageau (HAM) Jon Whitelaw (HUN) Jeremy Welsh (OAK)
Year South East North West
2007-08 Richard Ryan (STM) Aaron Keaney (LIN) Tyler Swan (COU) Chris Dunham (BUR)
Andrew Fracz (BOW)
2006-07 Phil McIlhone (PIC) Dennis Zak (COB) Dustin Turner (SEG) Matt Ferreira (BRP)
2005-06 Paul Kerins (NYR) Brad Dormiedy (BOW) Randy Johnson (STO) Kyle Zettler (HAM)
Chris Auger (WEL)
2004-05 Vincent Rocco (VAU) Gavin Moore (BAN) Sam Skwarchuk (AUR) Ryan Ellis (OAK)
2003-04 Peder Skinner (STM) Rusty Masters (PTH) Francis Walker (AUR) Sam Campbell (HAM)
2002-03 Oren Eizenman (WEX) Matt Caruana (BOW) Luke Dobbin (COU) Brad Efthimiou (MIL)
2001-02 Matt McIsaac (STM) Darren Doherty (COB) Chris Gill (NEW) Mark Mazzetti (HAM)
2000-01 Matthew Foy (WEX) Shannon McNevin (PET) Jaro Wojcicki (COU) Mike Bibby (BRM)
1999-00 Roberto Orofiamma (VAU) Kurtis McLean (TRE) Pierre Rivard (NEW) Mike Tarantino (OAK)
Year East Central West
1998-99 Ben Blakeley (TRE) Kevin Edgar (STO) Mike Cammalleri (BRM)
Year East West
1997-98 Kevin Edgar (STO) Matt Sirman (STO)
Matt McCrae (BRP)
1996-97 David Deeves (COL) Eric Ellis (BRP)
1995-96 Tavis Morrison (TRE) Glenn Bradbury (MIS)
1994-95 Shawn Allard (COB) Ian McQueen (STR)
1993-94 Ben Gorewich (MAR) Mike Cox (MIL)
1992-93 Justin Cardwell (MAR) Ben Davis (CAL)
