COURT NAMED SCHOLASTIC PLAYER-OF-YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Andrew Court (photo credit - Tim Bates/OJHL Images) of the Georgetown Raiders 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, Court 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 2016 RBC Cup, National Junior 'A' Championship being held in Lloydminster, Alberta.
The Burlington, Ontario native got his start as a member of the Burlington Eagles 'AAA' organization from 2003-10, playing the 2009-10 season as his Pee Wee club's captain. The following year, 2010-11, saw Court move to the Vaughan Kings 'AAA' organization, where he would spend two seasons, before returning to the Eagles and once again captaining the club during his bantam season in 2011-12 and minor midget season in 2012-13. Court's bantam season also saw him play for the Nelson High School Junior Varsity Club.
Following a successful minor hockey career, the 18-year old made the jump to the OJHL, joining the Georgetown Raiders, where he is currently completing his third full season with the Raiders. After seasons with offensive numbers of 13 and 12 points respectively in 2013-14 and 2014-15, Court took on a more significant role with the South-West Conference regular season champions this season, being named one of the team's alternate captains, while more than doubling his career-highs with 12 goals and 37 points in 42 games played. Finishing sixth overall in scoring on the Raiders, he is also one of the most respectful and hard-working players that takes to the ice and exudes the standards that are set and expected by the club both on and off of the ice.
Maintaining the difficult balance of being a Junior 'A' hockey player, while also maintaining the scholastic life, Court has excelled and continually improved his performance in all that he is passionate about. Moving to Appleby College in the fall of 2014, he has carried a high 80's average throughout his secondary school career, including an 89% average thus far in 2015-16 as he closes in on graduation and looks toward his post-secondary education with Entrance Scholarships (pending acceptance) from Guelph, Laurier and Western. Court has received numerous academic honours throughout high school, including Ontario Scholar Awards in 2013, 2014, 2015 (and pending 2016), Gold Optimates 2015 Award, Bronze Duke of Edinburgh 2016 Award and the Georgetown Raiders' Highest Academic Achievement Award in a Player Award for 2014-15 season.
Adding another layer to the student-athlete balance, Court also keeps himself extremely busy with numerous school and charitable endeavours. Also an accomplished pianist, he received First Class Honours in 2012 from the Royal Conservatory of Music for Piano and finished in second place at the 2013 Rotary Music Festival. A competitive lacrosse, basketball, tennis and track and field athlete, Court has been a Big Brother for a 12-year old boy in Milton, Ontario since 2015, along with volunteering his services with the Toys for Tots, Jumpstart, Relay for Life and Kids for Kids Foundation programs. Court has also spent his time as a leader for both the Buddies R Us Club and the Bowl for Kids.
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.
Ryan Garvey of the Oakville Blades is the runner-up in the OJHL Award selection to Court.
The three-year OJHL veteran and captain of the Blades was a four-year Honour Roll student during his high school career at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School, as well as an Ontario Scholar. Along with a tremendous scholastic career, Garvey was also a varsity athlete in numerous sports and volunteered for many extracurricular activities.
The OJHL Top Prospect Award and Most Gentlemanly Player Award recipients will be announced later this week.
2015-16 OJHL Award Winners
Award Winner Runner-Up
Top Scorer Luc Brown (WEL) Zach Evancho (BUF)
Top Goaltender Daniel Urbani (TRE) Andrew Masters (GEO)
Executive John McDonald (TRE) Mark Jooris (BUR)
Volunteer Jodi Lanzarotta (MAR) Vivienne Bridgeford (AUR)
Trainer Joe Aiello (COB) Sarah Ditmars (TRE)
Humanitarian Stefano Durante (COB) n/a
Most Improved Luc Brown (WEL) Ryan DaSilva (STO)
Coach Mark Jooris (BUR) Greg Walters (GEO)
Scholastic Andrew Court (GEO) Ryan Garvey (OAK)
Previous OJHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2014-15 Sam Hu (NEW) Kamil Tkaczuk (OAK)
2013-14 Richard Court (GEO) Kamil Tkaczuk (OAK)
2012-13 Jordan Dunin (NEW) Evan Jasper (COB)
2011-12 Adam Shibuya (TOR) Rob Simpson (TLP)
