JACOME NAMED ROOKIE OF YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) today announced that Jack Jacome (photo credit - Tim Bates/OJHL Images) of the Georgetown Raiders has been named the recipient of the OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year Award.
After playing seven games as an affiliate out of the Brampton 45's Midget 'AAA' program in 2014-15, Jacome joined his brother Brendan full-time with the Raiders this season and surprised many with his offensive skills that saw him lead the club in scoring during the regular season. He becomes the fourth member of the Raiders to win the award and first since Andrew Bathgate took home the West Division honours in 2007-08 (also won by Aaron Barton in 2004 and Jon Tenute in 2000).
The Caledon, Ontario native's totals of 44 assists, 67 points and 18 power play points were all tops on the club, while he finished second with 23 goals and 6 game-winning goals. Not only were his totals tops on the Raiders, but he led all rookies in scoring and ranked among the league's elite, finishing fifth in assists, sixth in scoring and ninth in game-winning goals. Jacome's added production this season was one of the key reasons the club captured a second consecutive West Division and South-West Conference regular season crown.
The diminutive forward notched three points in the opening game of the season and five points in his first two games to get a quick jump on his impressive rookie campaign. He recorded points in 39 of his 54 regular season games played this season and remarkably never went more than two games in a row being held off of the scoresheet. Other highlights of the season include a pair of seven game point scoring streaks, as well as a ten game point scoring streak from November 28 to January 6 that saw him post 19 points. Just prior to the streak, Jacome posted a career-high four point outing in a 9-6 victory over the Mississauga Chargers on November 18 and throughout the season, he would post 20 multi-point games.
Jacome's award-filled season saw him finish as runner-up for OJHL Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month honours in January, recording 20 points in 13 games played and following the season, he was named both a 1st Team All-Prospect, as well as a 2nd Team All-Star for his performance. Most recently, Jacome confirmed a commitment to join the Clarkson University Golden Knights beginning with the 2017-18 season.
The OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year Award is awarded annually to the player adjudged to be the most proficient in his 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
Mark Rozanov of the Newmarket Hurricanes has been named runner-up in the OJHL award balloting to Jacome.
The 18-year old uncommitted forward, who was actually born in St. Petersburg, Russia before moving to Canada, was traded to the Hurricanes after playing only eight games for the Aurora Tigers. He led the 'Canes with 32 goals and finished second in overall scoring with 50 points in 47 games played while being named runner-up for the OJHL Gongshow Gear North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month Award in December.
The OJHL Most Valuable Player Award recipient 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)
Top Prospect Matthew Cairns (GEO) Josh Dickinson (GEO)
Gentlemanly Brendan Jacome (GEO) Ryan Taylor (WHI)
Defenceman Patrick Kudla (OAK) Brennan Roy (COB)
Goaltender Andrew Masters (GEO) Daniel Urbani (TRE)
Rookie Jack Jacome (GEO) Mark Rozanov (NEW)
Previous OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2014-15 Cameron Morrison (AUR) Jack LaFontaine (GEO)
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)
