LAPID NAMED SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) today announced that Lee Lapid (photo credit - Andy Corneau/OJHL Images) of the Toronto Patriots 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, Lapid 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 2017 RBC Cup, National Junior 'A' Championship being held in Cobourg, Ontario.
The Thornhill, Ontario native played the majority of his minor hockey in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), including with a powerhouse Toronto Marlboros squad for a time. Ultimately, Lapid found his way to the Toronto Nationals 'AAA' organization for his all-important minor midget season. Following his team's season, he joined the Midget Nationals for the 2014 Telus Cup, Central Canadian Midget 'AAA' Championship, playing seven games in helping them qualify for the national championship. The following year, 2014-15, Lapid moved to the Mississauga Rebels organization, recording close to a point-per-game to close out his minor hockey career. One of the highlights of his young career had to be when he was named to Team Canada's under-19 roster for the 2013 Maccabiah Games, helping his country capture the junior gold medal in Israel.
Lapid would make the jump to the OJHL as a 17-year old rookie with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens organization in 2015-16. He would notch 8 goals and 14 points in 27 regular season contests before a mid-season trade saw him moved to the Toronto Patriots as part of a multi-player exchange, rejoining some of the former Toronto Nationals he played with in minor hockey. Lapid added 6 points in 16 games played to finish seventh in overall scoring with the club. This past season saw Lapid take on a leadership role with the Pats, finishing tied for third on the team with 16 goals and seventh in overall scoring with a career-high 30 points in 51 games played to help the two-time defending Buckland Cup champions return to the OJHL post-season.
Maintaining the difficult balance of high performance athletics ('AAA' & Junior 'A' hockey), along with his scholastic life, Lapid has outperformed many of his peers through his high school and university career. Attending the Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT) - Kimel Family Education Centre from 2011-15, he carried a high 80's average throughout secondary school and was named the principal's Honour Roll in all four years he attended the prestigious academy, while finishing in the 93rd percentile across both Canada and the United States. Currently, Lapid was accepted and started his university career at York University in Toronto, continuing to maintain a strong 'A' average in both Mathematics and Kinesiology
Off the ice and out of the classroom, as if Lapid wasn't busy enough, he also integrated himself into everyday life at CHAT for the full student experience. A member of the school's varsity tennis, soccer and hockey teams during his four years, Lapid would be named CHAT's Senior Athlete of the Year in 2014-15 to close out his high school career. During his time at CHAT, he was also heavily involved in the community, volunteering his time at a second-hand clothing store to assist the less fortunate with their needs, as well as volunteering to man the phones for telethon to help raise money for a local charity.
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.
Erik Urbank of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres is the runner-up in the OJHL Award selection to Lapid.
The 17-year old native of Lakeview, New York led the Jr. Sabres in scoring during his rookie OJHL season. After earning Honors during his sophomore and junior years in 2015 and 2016, Urbank is on pace again this year to achieve the same results during his senior year at Nichols School in Buffalo, New York.
The OJHL Most Gentlemanly Player and Top Defenceman Award recipients will be announced later this week.
2016-17 OJHL Award Winners
Award Winner Runner-Up
Top Scorer Jack Jacome (GEO) Brayden Stortz (WEL)
Top Goaltender Stefano Durante (COB) Josh Astorino (GEO)
Executive Greg Walters (GEO) Brent Tully (COB)
Humanitarian Kyle Clarke (NYR) Josh Maguire (COB)
Trainer Sarah Ditmars (TRE) Amanda Gilroy (WHI)
Volunteer Lorna Burrows (STO) Joe Goldenberg (NYR)
Coach Greg Walters (GEO) Mark Jooris (BUR)
Most Improved Ryan Casselman (COB) Ryan Heeps (WHI)
Scholastic Lee Lapid (PAT) Erik Urbank (BUF)
Year Winner Runner-Up
2015-16 Andrew Court (GEO) Ryan Garvey (OAK)
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)
