HU NAMED SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Sam Hu (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) of the Newmarket Hurricanes has been named the recipient of the OJHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Award and has been selected as the league’s nominee for the annual RBC Junior ‘A’ Scholarship awarded by RBC in conjunction with Hockey Canada.
Along with receiving the annual OJHL Award, Hu will receive a $1,000 scholarship from RBC and will be one of 10 finalists (one from each member league of the CJHL) in the running for an additional $5,000 national scholarship award that will be presented during the 2015 RBC Cup, National Junior 'A' Championship being held in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
The Richmond Hill, Ontario native joined the Hurricanes in 2013-14 out of the Markham Waxers Midget 'AAA' organization. Hu played one game with the Pickering Panthers as an affiliated player from the Waxers in 2012-13 before making the full-time jump to the OJHL in 2013. All the while, he was also attending the newly formed Bill Crothers Secondary School in Markham, where he would excel on the ice as a member of the Junior Varsity Hockey Club, as well as in the classroom.
Being one of the smaller players in the OJHL at 5'8", 170 lbs. has not deterred Sam Hu from becoming one of his club's leaders and most dominant offensive players. Kicking off his rookie season as a 16-year old, Hu acquitted himself well and after easing into the Hurricanes line-up, he became one of the club's 'Go To' guys by season's end. He finished the year strong, with five points in the final five regular season contests, to finish eighth on the club with 11 goals on the season. His dedication and hard-work is second to none and Hu had an 'A' placed on his chest by head coach Brian Perrin entering this past season. Not only was he a leader off-the-ice for the 'Canes, but his play on the ice was exemplary as well with Hu leading Newmarket in scoring for much of the season, finishing the year with 26 goals and 43 points in 52 regular season games played; more than double the previous seasons totals. He continued that play into the post-season, leading the Hurricanes once again with six points in five games during a first round loss to the OJHL regular season champion Aurora Tigers.
Hu attended Bill Crothers Secondary School from 2011 to 2014, where his scholastic performance was even more impressive than his on-ice achievements. He maintained a focus that allowed him to finish high school with a 92% average over four years, while also competing in elite level sports such as hockey, as well as rugby where he was part of a York Region championship club. Hu graduated from Bill Crothers as an Ontario Scholar in both Physical Education and Business, allowing him to earn admission to the University of Toronto beginning in the Fall of 2014. Despite a longer commute this season to university, Hu picked-up where he left off in high school, earning straight A's along with a 3.85 Grade Point Average (GPA) during his first semester.
As if Hu's hockey and scholastic endeavours don't keep him busy enough throughout the year, he is also an enthusiastic member of the school community, taking part in numerous activities, including taking part in the Bill Crothers’ Model United Nations (UN) Club during grade 12 that took part in numerous conferences debating on world issues.
The OJHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Award is awarded annually to the player adjudged to best combine success on the ice with his club, along with success in school.
Kamil Tkaczuk of the Oakville Blades is the runner-up in the OJHL Award selection to Hu.
Also the runner-up for this award in 2013-14, the Oakville, Ontario native completed his second year in the OJHL, finishing second on the Blades in scoring with 39 points in 50 regular season games played. Currently in his second year of the Business Commerce Program at McMaster University, Tkaczuk was an Honour Roll student throughout his four years at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School, receiving the McMaster Dean Scholarship as the top applicant of all that applied in 2013.
The OJHL Top Prospect 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)
Goaltender-of-Year Justin Kapelmaster (TRE) Andy Munroe (AUR)
Scholastic Sam Hu (NEW) Kamil Tkaczuk (OAK)
Previous OJHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2013-14 Richard Court (GEO) Kamil Tkaczuk (OAK)
2012-13 Jordan Dunin (NEW) Evan Jasper (COB)
2011-12 Adam Shibuya (TOR) Rob Simpson (TLP)
