ASTORINO NAMED GOALIE OF YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Josh Astorino (photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) of the Georgetown Raiders has been named the recipient of the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Year Award, as voted on by the OJHL Award Committee (Top Goaltender Award is for the goaltender with the lowest goals against average during the regular season).
The 20-year old Niagara Falls, Ontario native was a rock between the pipes for the Raiders during his first season in the OJHL, helping lead the club to a third consecutive West Division and South-West Conference regular season title, while also capturing the OJHL regular season championship for the first time since 2011-12. Astorino becomes the second consecutive Georgetown netminder to win the award, joining Andrew Masters who was named Goaltender-of-the-Year last season.
Named the OJHL Bardown Goaltender-of-the-Month in January, Astorino posted an impressive 28-3-2 record for the league's second best win total, along with two shutouts. The 1st Team All-Star allowed just 67 goals against this season in 35 games played for a 1.93 goals against average which also ranked second best to finish as runner-up for the OJHL Top Goaltender Award (lowest GAA), while his 974 saves this season saw him post the OJHL's best save percentage at .936%
Three times during the season Astorino posted five-or-more game winning streaks, including a nine game winning streak from September 24 to October 23 that helped push the Raiders toward the top of the league standings. His efforts throughout the season helped the Raiders post the league's best home record at 24-0-1 and he would go undefeated at the Alcott with a nearly perfect 14-0-1 record. Astorino picked-up where Masters left off last year in providing key situational performances under pressure, especially while shorthanded, helping the Raiders post the league's second best penalty killing unit, shutting down the opposition at an 88.51% success rate.
The OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Year Award is awarded to the goaltender adjudged to have demonstrated the greatest all-round ability at his position throughout the regular season.
Connor Ryckman of the Wellington Dukes is runner-up in the OJHL Award balloting to Astorino.
Named the OJHL Bardown Goaltender-of-the-Month in February, as well as being runner-up for the award in both September and December, Ryckman was consistently great between the pipes for the Dukes from start-to-finish this season. His 27 wins were the third highest total in the league coming on the strength of a 27-18-1 record, as was his .929 save percentage, while his 2.49 goals against average was the fourth best total in the OJHL. Ryckman was a member of Team OJHL Nieuwendyk at the 2016 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge.
The OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year and Most Valuable Player Award recipients will be announced next 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)
Gentlemanly Nik Coric (WHI) Philip Lagunov (BUR)
Defenceman Brennan Roy (COB) Mark Paolini (STM)
Prospect Nick Campoli (NYR) Matthew Kellenberger (OAK)
Goaltender of Year Josh Astorino (GEO) Connor Ryckman (WEL)
Previous OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Year Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2015-16 Andrew Masters (GEO) Daniel Urbani (TRE)
2014-15 Justin Kapelmaster (TRE) Andy Munroe (AUR)
2013-14 Kevin Entmaa (AUR) Alex Brooks-Potts (KIN)
2012-13 Charlie Finn (KIN) Parker Gahagen (BUF)
