NORTH YORK’S GOTTSCHALK VOTED OJHL’S MOST GENTLEMANLY PLAYER
March 22, 2019, Mississauga, ON – Grayden Gottschalk of the North York Rangers (Photo by Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images) is the 2018-19 recipient of the Most Gentlemanly Player Award in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).
At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, the Rangers captain sounds like your prototypical bruising power forward.
That’s not reflected in his penalty minutes.
Gottschalk, who bears a resemblance to Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks, may need directions to the penalty box.
Last time he took a penalty was Dec. 9 – it was one of three minors he was assessed this year.
He tallied 46 points (25 goals/21 assists) in 52 games with the Rangers during the regular season. This year’s playoffs? Ditto.
Zero infractions during nine games for North York, who have won their last eight while capturing the South Division championship.
It’s no one-off.
Gottschalk also had three penalties last season.
2015-16 was an aberration, when as an OJHL rookie with the Rangers, he accumulated 26 minutes in penalties. The next year, with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, he picked up one minor during 42 games.
“It’s not something I think about,” the Thornhill resident said of his near penalty-free season. “It’s just part of my game.”
Rangers Head Coach Geoff Schomogyi appreciates his captain.
“Grayden’s leadership ability means so much to our team,” the coach said. “His constant work ethic on and off the ice is infectious and others have no choice but to follow.
“Gotts plays hard for us every night and always projects the right mindset and attitude that makes us a successful team.”
The captain on his team’s run to the top 10 in Canada and the OJHL semifinals?
“It’s amazing how close we are,” he said. “We have a lot of talent, but there’s something to be said for our room. All the guys get along and are really good friends.”
One of 12 Rangers in their final year of junior eligibility, Gottschalk, 20, is exploring options with Canadian university teams for next season.
The OJHL Most Gentlemanly Player Award is awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, combined with a high-standard and proficiency of on-ice playing ability throughout the regular season.
The awards are voted on by a committee of OJHL general managers and media members who cover the league.
Adam Kim, 19, of the Kingston Voyageurs was runner-up in balloting for the gentlemanly player award. The New Mexico native had 67 points – sixth best in the OJHL – and 28 penalty minutes during 54 games this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman (Hamilton Red Wings) won the award in 2011.
Gottschalk and other OJHL trophy winners will be honoured at a ceremony during the OJHL finals in April.
About the OJHL – “League of Choice”
The Ontario Junior Hockey League is the largest Junior ‘A’ league operating under the auspices of the Canadian Junior Hockey League with 22 member clubs. A proud member of the CJHL and Ontario Hockey Association, the OJHL was originally named the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League and it was formed out of the Central Junior ‘B’ Hockey League in 1993-94. With a long and storied history of developing players for the next level, including U Sports, the NCAA, CHL, minor pro ranks and the NHL, the OJHL had more than 135 commitments in 2017-18, including 65 NCAA Division I scholarships.
For more information on the Ontario Junior Hockey League, please visit www.ojhl.ca or follow us on Twitter (@OJHLOfficial) and Facebook (OJHLOfficial).
