NEWS

The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) today announced that Matthew Cairns (photo credit - Tim Bates/OJHL Images) of the Georgetown Raiders has been named the recipient of the OJHL Top Prospect Award as selected by NHL Central Scouting.

The 18-year old joined the Raiders this season after capturing an OJHL Championship as a rookie with the Toronto Patriots last season.  Standing at 6'2", while also possessing speed and mobility, has made the scouts take notice and Cairns has continued to add to his hockey repertoire throughout his sophomore campaign.

"Matthew is an offensive puck-moving defenceman who possesses good size and is a strong, mobile skater," said Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr.  "He has good offensive instincts and a good first pass game; totaled 24 assists this year. Cairns makes good decisions under pressure and is a very good size/strength and one-on-one defender. Capable to play in any situation and can pass and shoot with authority. He has used his time in the OJHL to develop his overall game and prepare himself for the next stage of his hockey career."

Cairns' championship experience was counted on by the Raiders in all situations this season as he more than tripled his career offensive-highs with 9 goals, 24 assists and 33 points in 46 games played to lead the club's defensive corps in scoring, as well as rank 12th, 16th and 18th respectively among all league rearguards.  Manning the point for Georgetown on both special teams units, Cairns led all OJHL defencemen with two shorthanded goals and registered 15 power play points to rank third on the Raiders, while also notching two game-winning goals during the season.  His play helped the club captured the OJHL West Division and South-West Conference Regular Season title this season.

Other highlights of Cairns' impressive sophomore campaign included being named a member of Team OJHL Nieuwendyk for the 2015 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Cornwall, Ontario.  His efforts throughout the season and the All-Star tournament ultimately helped him also earn a spot on Team Canada East at the 2015 World Junior 'A' Challenge that was held in Cobourg and Whitby, Ontario.  In January, Cairns received another pair of accolades as he was first listed tops among OJHL players, 93rd overall among North American skaters, by NHL Central Scouting in their Mid-Term Rankings for the 2016 NHL Draft, and then was named to Team East for the 2016 CJHL Prospects Game held in Surrey, B.C.  Cairns is committed to join the Cornell University Raiders beginning with the 2017-18 ECAC season.

The OJHL Top Prospect Award is awarded annually to the player selected by NHL Central Scouting as the top-ranked draft eligible prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft.

Josh Dickinson of the Georgetown Raiders has been named runner-up to Cairns as OJHL Top Prospect.  

The 18-year old sophomore is currently in his second season with the Raiders and is one of the club's alternate captains this season.  Dickinson finished third in scoring on the club with 23 goals and 53 points in 47 games played, and was a member of Team Canada East at the 2015 World Junior 'A' Challenge.  He was ranked 193rd among North American Skaters in NHL Central Scouting's Mid-Term rankings that were released in January for the 2016 NHL Draft.

"Dickinson is a smooth skating, offensively skilled centre," said Marr.  "With strong offensive hockey sense, he is a very good playmaker and knows how to be in the right place at the right time. Dickinson's quick to recognize opportunity and has shown a good scoring touch. His game has continued to grow and improve over the course of the season."

The OJHL Most Gentlemanly Player Award recipient will be announced on Friday.

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)
Top Prospect        Matthew Cairns (GEO)    Josh Dickinson (GEO)

Previous OJHL Top Prospect Recipients
Year            Winner                Runner-Up                
2014-15        Will Reilly (NYR)        Callum Fryer (AUR)
2013-14        Jake Walman (TOR)        Jake Evans (STM)
2012-13        Matt Buckles (STM)        Troy Josephs (STM)
2011-12        Devin Shore (WHI)        James de Haas (TLP)