WILLIAMS NAMED TOP DEFENCEMAN
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Eric Williams (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) of the Aurora Tigers has been named the recipient of the OJHL Top Defenceman Award.
Williams becomes just the third defenceman in franchise history to win the league's Top Defenceman Award and first since Quinn Waller was the North Division recipient during the 2006-07 championship season (also won by Rob Godfrey in 2002-03). Williams led all OJHL rearguards with 22 goals on the season, which was the eighth best goal total by a defenceman in league history.
The second year Tigers blueliner took his game to another level this season, providing stability on the backend in helping the club capture a third consecutive North Division title, along with the North-West Conference and OJHL Regular Season crowns for the first time since 2006-07 when Aurora captured a national championship. The club's 44-7-3 record for 91 points and an .843 winning percentage was also the franchise's best since 2007.
The Newmarket, Ontario native would log heavy minutes for the Tigers in all situations and was instrumental in the success of the league's best power play unit that fired at a 24.08% success rate. Williams tallied 17 power play goals, not only leading defenceman in that category, but also finishing second among all OJHL skaters. He added 11 power play assists and was the top blueliner with 28 power play points, also tied for second best among all players in the league. The OJHL 1st Team All-Star finished second in scoring among rearguards with 50 points, as well as with three game-winning goals, in 52 regular season games played. Williams and the club's d-corps solidified the league's best defensive team, allowing just 112 goals on the season, while also compiling the OJHL's second best penalty killing unit with an 89.45% success rate.
Williams' efforts throughout the 2014-15 season earned a second consecutive appearance at the Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, earning a spot on Team OJHL Coffey for the 2014 event in Toronto, where he would tie for the tournament lead in scoring among defencemen with four points in three games played. Having previously made a commitment during his rookie season, Williams is slated to join the NCAA Division I, Northeastern University Huskies beginning with the 2015-16 Hockey East season.
The OJHL Top Defenceman Award is awarded annually to the defenceman adjudged to have demonstrated the greatest all-round ability at his position throughout the regular season.
Niko Kovachis of the Toronto Patriots is runner-up in the OJHL Award balloting to Williams.
A member of the defending OJHL champion Toronto Patriots, Kovachis continued his progression as one of the league's elite blueliners, finishing third on his club and fourth among all defencemen in scoring with 49 points in 49 games played. Kovachis' 39 assists was also tops among all rearguards in the OJHL.
The Goaltender-of-the-Year Award recipient 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)
Top Defenceman Eric Williams (AUR) Niko Kovachis (PAT)
Previous OJHL Top Defenceman Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2013-14 Michael Prapavessis (TLP) Nick Desimone (BUF)
2012-13 Patrick McCarron (STM) Chris Raguseo (WHI)
2011-12 Paul Geiger (STO) Anthony Mastrodicasa (VAU)
2010-11 Anthony Mastrodicasa (VAU) Luke Juha (BUR)
*Awarded by Division prior to 2010-11
Year OJAHL CCHL East CCHL West
2009-10 Kevin Christmas (KIN) Jeff Least (MAR) Justin Baker (STR)
Year Ruddock Central Phillips MacKinnon
2008-09 Stephane Chabot (KIN) Nicholas D'Agostino (STM) Nick Quinn (DIX) Chris Borges (GEO)
Jesse McConney (HUN)
Year South East North West
2007-08 Cody Hamilton (MAR) Kyle Crawford (WEL) Mike Ball (HUN) Evan Zych (GEO)
2006-07 Stephen Duffy (STM) Dan McIntyre (PTH) Quinn Waller (AUR) Josh Schrum (BUR)
2005-06 Ryan Annesey (PIC) Brodie Raine (PTH) Kyle Searle (COU) Jeff Caister (MIL)
2004-05 Davide Nicoletti (WEX) Tyler Cann (PTH) Simon Gysbers (STO) Shane Simms (BUF)
Armando Scarlatto (VAU)
2003-04 Jamie Coghlan (STM) David Smith (WEL) Jimmy Ball (NEW) Matthew French (MIL)
2002-03 Jamie Coghlan (STM) Graham Melbourne (TRE) Rob Godfrey (AUR) Dan Iliakas (GEO)
2001-02 Conrad Martin (WEX) Andrew Oke (LIN) Andrew Martin (COU) Billy Fetherstone (GEO)
Nick Rombough (NEW) David Thompson (BMP)
2000-01 Brent Mulder (THO) Jarrett Winn (COB) Derek McNamara (NEW) Matt English (BUF)
1999-00 Jamie Ritzkos (VAU) Randy Jones (COB) Eric Filiatrault (COL) Mark Strzoda (STR)
Year East Central West
1998-99 Cam Kincaid (KIN) Randy Dagenais (COL) Mike Schutte (BUR)
Year East West
1997-98 Joel Tarvudd (NEW) Wes Booker (HAM)
1996-97 Darryl Buttar (COB) Matt Smith (BRP)
1995-96 Darryl Latoski (COB) Kip Brennan (STM)
1994-95 Dan Harrison (NEW) Peter Kantzavelos (BRP)
1993-94 Chris Emerton (BAR) Justin Ball (OAK)
1992-93 Greg Snetsinger (LIN) Sandy Sajko (OAK)
