JANZEN NAMED FAN FAVOURITE
The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) today announced that Chris Janzen (photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) of the Trenton Golden Hawks has been named the recipient of the OJHL Fan Favourite Award.
The 20-year old native of Pelham, Ontario joined the Golden Hawks this season and wins the award after receiving 41.8% of the total vote. Janzen's stellar netminding between the pipes this season endeared him to not only the Trenton faithful, but also his hometown fans in Pelham and Welland, where he played Junior 'B' hockey prior to the OJHL. He becomes the second consecutive member of the Golden Hawks to win the award, joining Blayne Oliver last season, but the first goalie to be named Fan Favourite.
A product of Niagara Falls 'AAA' program, Janzen closed out his minor hockey career in 2012-13 with the Southern Tier Admirals Midget 'AAA' organization. The following year, he made the jump to Junior 'B' with the nearby Welland Canadians and would spend three seasons as the backstop for the club from 2013-16. During his first season in Welland, Janzen would earn Golden Horseshoe Conference Goaltender of the Month honours in September and was selected to participate in the GOJHL Top Prospects Game that was held in Port Colborne, Ontario.
Picked-up by the Trenton Golden Hawks during the 2016 off-season, Janzen was immediately placed at the top of the Golden Hawks depth chart in net and did not disappoint, going undefeated in September to earn the OJHL Bardown Goaltender-of-the-Month Award in September. He would continue his stellar play throughout the season, also capturing the award in November and December to become the first-ever OJHL player to earn the monthly honour three times in one season. Janzen's early play saw him named a member of Team OJHL Oates, allowing just two goals in two games at the 2016 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Cornwall, Ontario.
Best described as a calming presence and agile in the crease, the 6' Janzen led all OJHL goaltenders with 33 victories this season to help the Golden Hawks once again capture the North-East Conference regular season and playoff titles. Playing in 43 games for Trenton, his 1.98 goals against average was third best in the league, as was his four shutouts, while his .927 save percentage ranked fourth best. Highlights of Janzen's season were a remarkable 42-save performance in a 4-3 victory over Cobourg on December 9, as well as another astounding 42-save effort in a 2-2 draw with the regular season champion Georgetown Raiders on February 17. Janzen would go on a 14-game winning streak from November 4 to January 6 that saw him help solidify the Golden Hawks spot at the top of the standings. Following the season, Janzen would be named an OJHL 2nd Team All-Star.The OJHL Fan Favourite Award is awarded annually to the player who is voted through online balloting as the fan’s favourite player. The 2011-12 season marked the first-year the award was contested with balloting running each year from late January through to the end of March. This season saw more than 17,000 votes counted for 182 different OJHL players, from all 22 member clubs.
Mitchell Mendonca of the Wellington Dukes has been named runner-up in the Fan Favourite balloting to Janzen.
The 18-year old native of Thorold, Ontario joined the Dukes this season after spending 2015-16 split between the GOJHL and the OHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Mendonca made an immediate impact on the Dukes roster this season, finishing third with 20 goals and fifth in overall scoring on the club with 39 points in 44 regular season contests.
Also announced were the OJHL All-Fan Favourite Teams based on position and total votes received:
1st Team All-Fan Favourite
Goaltender Chris Janzen (Trenton Golden Hawks)
Defenceman Chays Ruddy (Trenton Golden Hawks)
Defenceman Jeff Clarke (Oakville Blades)
Forward Mitchell Mendonca (Wellington Dukes)
Forward Alex Daigle (Milton Icehawks)
Forward Brayden Stortz (Wellington Dukes)
2nd Team All-Fan Favourite
Goaltender Connor Ryckman (Wellington Dukes)
Defenceman Justin Bean (Wellington Dukes)
Defenceman Peter Muzyka (North York Rangers)
Forward Nick Campoli (North York Rangers)
Forward Joseph Mizzi (North York Rangers)
Forward Nathan Gooch (Orangeville Flyers)
Below is the list of top vote-getters from each individual OJHL member club:
Aurora Tigers Tyler Davis
Buffalo Jr. Sabres Michael Faliero
Burlington Cougars Noah Featherstone-Gowe
Cobourg Cougars Theo Lewis
Georgetown Raiders Jack Jacome
Kingston Voyageurs Kyle Hallbauer
Lindsay Muskies Ethan Ramsden
Markham Royals Josh Hardiman
Milton Icehawks Alex Daigle
Mississauga Chargers Kyler Matthews
Newmarket Hurricanes Quinn Yule
North York Rangers Nick Campoli
Oakville Blades Jeff Clarke
Orangeville Flyers Nathan Gooch
Pickering Panthers Spyros Koskinas
St. Michael’s Buzzers David Martino
Stouffville Spirit Joshua Argier
Toronto Jr. Canadiens Gianfranco Cassaro/Jake Joffe
Toronto Patriots Andrew Petrucci
Trenton Golden Hawks Chris Janzen
Wellington Dukes Mitchell Mendonca
Whitby Fury Brock Welsh
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)
Rookie Mel Melconian (AUR) Matthew Kellenberger (OAK)
MVP Jack Jacome (GEO) Brayden Stortz (WEL)
Fan Favourite Chris Janzen (TRE) Mitchell Mendonca (WEL)
Previous OJHL Fan Favourite Award Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2015-16 Blayne Oliver (TRE) Andrew Lee (BUR)
2014-15 Cole Bolton (KIN) Blayne Oliver (TRE)
2013-14 Stuart Fierheller (LIN) Michael Casale (KIN)
2012-13 Travis Dermott (NEW) Adrian Ignagni (STM)
2011-12 Andrew Doyle (STO) Christian Finch (STO)
