MORRISON NAMED ROOKIE OF YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) today announced that Cameron Morrison (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) of the Aurora Tigers has been named the recipient of the OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year Award.
A highly recruited minor midget prospect in 2013-14, the 16-year old chose the OJHL route and NCAA option in joining his hometown Aurora Tigers for his rookie junior season. Morrison did not disappoint and the big, strong winger used his 6'3" frame to dominate the opposition at times, despite his young age, and became the youngest player (16 years, 7 months) to capture the Rookie-of-the-Year Award since Josh Shalla (16 years, 6 months) of the Bowmanville Eagles won East Division honours in 2007-08.
Morrison would score a goal in first game of the season and never looked back in posting impressive numbers throughout his rookie campaign. Despite missing time due to appendicitis in early November, his 31 goals not only led the Tigers, but was the sixth best total among all OJHL players, while his 53 points placed him fourth in scoring on the club during the regular season. Playing significant minutes throughout the season, Morrison notched eight power play goals, third best on Aurora, as well as seven game-winning goals, which tied for second best total in the OJHL.
Other highlights of Morrison's impressive season included a seven game point streak from October 15-27, in which he recorded nine points during the middle of an 18-game winning streak by the Tigers. Toward the tail-end of that same winning streak, the freshman was firing on all cylinders when he had a two goal, five point effort on November 29 versus the Lindsay Muskies. Throughout the year, Morrison would post 13 multi-point games.
Morrison was originally named to an All-Star to represent the OJHL at the 2014 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, but was forced to miss due to the appendicitis. Following the season, Morrison was also named an OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect and he is committed to join the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish beginning with the 2016-17 Hockey East season.
The OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year Award is awarded annually to the player adjudged to be the most proficient in his first year of competition playing in the OJHL throughout the regular season, with the following criteria being met:
• Fewer than 10 games played in other Junior 'A' or Major Junior League (if goaltender, fewer than 6 games played)
• Must be 18-years of age or younger as of December 31 of that season
• Played in a minimum of 50% of teams games
Jack LaFontaine of the Georgetown Raiders has been named runner-up in the OJHL award balloting to Morrison.
The 17-year old uncommitted netminder joined the Raiders this season and quickly established himself as a reliable OJHL goaltender, splitting the season with teammate Marc Williams. LaFontaine finished the year with a 20-6-0 record and two shutouts, while posting the league's fifth best goals against average at 2.13 and fourth best save percentage at .923%. He would be named runner-up as the OJHL Gongshow Gear Goaltender-of-the-Month in November.
The OJHL Most Valuable Player 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)
Top Prospect Will Reilly (NYR) Callum Fryer (AUR)
Rookie Cameron Morrison (AUR) Jack LaFontaine (GEO)
Previous OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2013-14 Jake Walman (TOR) Mason Marchment (COB)
2012-13 Tyler Gjurich (BUF) Jake Evans (STM)
2011-12 Devin Shore (WHI) Michael Giugovaz (GEO)
2010-11 Robert Polesello (VAU) Nelson Armstrong (PET)
*Awarded by Division prior to 2010-11
Year OJAHL CCHL East CCHL West
2009-10 Zach Hall (COU) Jackson Teichroeb (BOW) Lucas Lessio (STM)
Year Ruddock Central Phillips MacKinnon
2008-09 Ian Watters (AJX) Joel Hanley (NEW) Dalton McGrath (COU) Alex Guptill (BRP)
Dominic Alberga (VIL)
Year South East North West
2007-08 Michael Catenacci (MAR) Josh Shalla (BOW) Ethan Werek (STO) Andrew Bathgate (GEO)
2006-07 Alan Reynolds (TOR) Tavis Holden (BOW) Corey Trivino (STO) Matt Hoyle (OAK)
Nicholas Vasso (ORA)
2005-06 Louie Caporusso (STM) Brian Rufenach (LIN) Matt Milne (COU) Cody Goloubef (MIL)
Bryan Scott (BOW)
2004-05 Russ Brownell (WEX) Josh Gillam (PET) Deron Cousens (HUN) Tim Priamo (BUR)
2003-04 Andrew Cogliano (STM) James Neal (BOW) Darren Machesney (NEW) Aaron Barton (GEO)
2002-03 Oren Eizenman (WEX) Liam Reddox (WEL) Mike Sullivan (STO) Josh Disher (BUR)
2001-02 Wojtek Wolski (STM) Cory Vitarelli (PET) Luke Dubbin (COU) Evan McGrath (OAK)
2000-01 Matt Christie (PIC) Robbie Schremp (SYR) Corey Locke (NEW) Kevin Arruda (MIL)
1999-00 Ashton McLean (WEX) Robert Gherson (WEL) Beau Moyer (COU) Jon Tenute (GEO)
Year East Central West
1998-99 Luc Chiasson (PIC) Daniel Sisca (MAR) Kevin Kurk (NIA)
Year East West
1997-98 Jeremy Van Hoof (LIN) Mike Cammalleri (BRM)
Paul Dowe (COB)
1996-97 Preston Mizzi (NEW) Mark Van Arkel (MIL)
1995-96 Brett Gibson (KIN) Scott Crawford (BRP)
1994-95 Patrick Desrochers (BAR) Adam Cologiacomo (RYR)
1993-94 Rob Fitzgerald (PET) Scott Bertoli (MIL)
1992-93 Jeff Williams (NEW) David Belitski (RYR)
