March 5, 2020

Newcomer Paquette, sophomore Thomson light the lamp with season’s top divisional honours

Burlington, Ont. – It is never easy to navigate the demands of a 28-game season against some of the best and brightest in university hockey, but whether student-athletes were looking to light the lamp, stop a shot, or go above and beyond the rink to achieve their goals, several Ontario University Athletics (OUA) standouts did so with shining colours. The latest crop of award winners and all-stars, which features a newcomer making a quick name for himself, a sophomore making multi-point performances look run-of-the-mill, and a veteran goaltender setting new school standards, made the most of their respective 2019-20 campaigns to post seasons to remember.

Most Valuable Player (East) | Rookie of the Year (East) – Chris Paquette, RMC Paladins

A fresh face burst onto the scene in a big way this season, as not only was RMC’s Chris Paquette named the East Division’s top rookie, but Most Valuable Player as well. After a successful OHL career, Paquette decided to play his OUA hockey in his hometown of Kingston, Ont. with the Paladins, and the team’s first ever NHL draft pick made his mark early and often.

The all-star recorded his first point in the Paladins opening game of the season and went on to notch over a point per game for red nation during his freshman campaign, registering 32 in his 28 games played. Paquette, who is following in his father’s footsteps after he too went to RMC and continues to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces, led the team in scoring with 15 goals (6th in OUA) and notched a team-high 17 helpers, which put him just outside the OUA’s top-20. The rookie had no trouble adjusting to the university game and was a consistent contributor to RMC’s milestone year on the ice. With the first-year forward leading the offence, the Paladins made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and recorded more goals (81) in a season than they had in decades.

Defender of the Year (East) – Nikolas Brouillard, McGill Athletics

While Paquette scored both of RMC’s major award honours this season, it was a pair of McGill players earning top marks at their respective positions, including Defenceman of the Year in the East, Nikolas Brouillard. A second team all-star a year ago, the St. Hilaire, Que. native earns a spot on the first team in his fourth-year thanks to his potent play on the blue line. Brouillard posted 23 points to rank fifth among OUA rearguards, while his seven goals put him in the top three among conference defencemen. In addition to his defensive ability in his own end, Brouillard also forces the opposition to defend differently with the puck on his stick. As one of the most fearsome powerplay weapons across the league, wielding a shot as hard as any OUA blueliner, Brouillard made himself at home at the point to claim this year’s honour.

Goaltender of the Year (East) – Louis-Philip Guindon, McGill Athletics

Working behind Brouillard was the division’s top netminder, as Louis-Philip Guindon was one of the toughest to beat this season. The now two-time East Division Goaltender of the Year and all-star finished among the upper echelon of the goalie leaderboards, posting a nation-best 0.941 save percentage. He ranked third among his OUA counterparts with a 2.22 goals-against average, while registering three shutouts as part of his 12-win campaign. While his season as a whole was award-worthy, the native of St. Joseph du Lac, Que. shone brightest with not one, but two 56-save performances for McGill this season, including a 3-2 overtime win over Concordia and a 4-2 road victory over Ottawa. Both outings equaled the second-highest save total in school history and was the most ever in a McGill victory.

Coach of the Year (East) – Shaun Van Allen, Carleton Ravens

The pair of McGill standouts helped guide their team to the division’s fourth-best record, but the Coach of the Year in the East helped lead his group to the top of regular season mountain. Shaun Van Allen had his Carleton Ravens among the most feared groups this season, which was one for the program’s record books. The third-year bench boss helping, who started his Carleton tenure with a 17-win season, brought a 24-win campaign to the nation’s capital in 2019-20, which marks the most single-season wins in Ravens history. The Calgary, Alta. native had his group, who found themselves ranked among the nation’s top teams all season long, clicking at both ends of the ice en route to claiming 49 out of a possible 56 points. The black birds bested the conference when it came to goals-against, giving up just 62 on the year (2.18 GAA), while pulling in top-five totals in goals per game (3.57), powerplay goals (25), and save percentage (0.927).

Coach of the Year (West) – Ryan Medel, Toronto Varsity Blues

Another coach who guided his team to the division’s top record was Ryan Medel, and for his work with the Toronto Varsity Blues, he earns the West Division Coach of the Year nod. Matching Van Allen’s tenure with now three years under his belt behind the bench, Medel guided the Blues to a program-best tying 21 wins this season. The native of Ruthven, Ont. helped U of T rise the ranks, going from an eighth-place result a year to a first-place finish in 2019-20. Under his guidance, the Blues churned out a top-ranked powerplay (30.8%), scored the most goals in the OUA (125), and allowed the fewest in the West Division (71).

Most Valuable Player (West) – David Thomson, Toronto Varsity Blues

One of the key weapons that Medel and the Varsity Blues was able to wield all season long was David Thomson, who turned his outstanding offensive season into a Most Valuable Player award in the West. The first team all-star shone throughout his sophomore season with the blue and white, ranking second in the province with 17 goals and 23 assists. The Vaughan, Ont. native played a leading role for the team’s top-ranked powerplay, pacing all players with seven tallies on the man advantage this year. With 40 points in 27 games, Thomson was accustomed to multi-point performances, registering 12 of them on the year, including a season-best four points (2G, 2A) against Guelph in January as part of an 8-2 win. With the win, Thomson takes home Toronto’s first MVP award since 2006-07 (Ryan Grinnell).

Defender of the Year (West) – Gregory DiTomaso, Ryerson Rams

While Thomson was one of the best point-producers up front, a fellow Toronto-based team boasted one of the most offensively-gifted defencemen. Known as an offensive juggernaut, the Ryerson Rams saw contributions from all over the ice this season, en route to a second-place finish in the West. And one of the most dynamic contributors on the roster came on the back end in the form of Gregory DiTomaso (Etobicoke, Ont.). The third-year defender led the conference with 26 points at the position. The bulk of those contributions came via his ability to distribute the puck and his 20 assists put him 13th among all OUA skaters. Winner of Ryerson’s No. 4 award as the team’s defender of the year, the OUA’s West Division award winner was also a critical shot-blocker and key piece to shutting down the opponents’ top line.

Goaltender of the Year (West) – Jonathan Reinhart, Windsor Lancers

The ability among award winners to put the puck in the net was on full display this season, but a battle-tested member of the Windsor Lancers proved to stand out among those who turn them aside. Jonathan Reinhart, a native of Cambridge, Ont., was as tough to beat as anyone between the pipes this year, no matter how much the opposition tried. The West Division Goaltender of the Year saw his fair share of action during the 2019-20 season, but was up to the task for the blue and gold. A member of the U SPORTS all-star team that competed at the Canadian national junior selection camp, Reinhart produced a 2.44 goals-against average and fifth-best 0.926 save percentage. Throughout his 27 starts – 17 of which were wins (2nd in OUA) – the league leader in minutes played was peppered with pucks, turning away 829 on the season, nearly 70 clear of the next-highest netminder.

Rookie of the Year (West) – Franco Sproviero, Western Mustangs

Making a splash in his first opportunity against university competition, Western’s Franco Sproviero was among the OUA’s best this season, regardless of experience. Taking little time to acclimatize himself to the post-secondary landscape, the Mustangs newcomer and West Division Rookie of the Year was at the forefront of nearly every offensive category for the London squad. Beyond his team-leading marks, Sproviero also found himself among the conference’s upper class with his 15 goals (6th in OUA) and 34 points (8th in OUA). He was a focal point on the powerplay, ranking second in the conference with six such tallies, and despite the team struggling with goals-against this season, Sproviero remained a plus-player. The Sarnia, Ont. native, who began his OUA career with goals in back-to-back games against UQTR and points in his first seven contests, finished his debut campaign as the top rookie scorer.

Randy Gregg Award (West) – Anthony Stefano, Western Mustangs

Sproviero has contributed well in his first year, but a fellow Mustang has played a key role in a number of initiatives on the Western University campus throughout his three years with the purple and white. Anthony Stefano, who finished with five goals and 16 points on the year, has done well to extend his reach beyond the role of student-athlete during his Mustangs tenure, combining athletics, academics, and community engagement to claim the West Division’s Randy Gregg Award in 2019-20.

A leader on the Mustang Athletics Student Council, Stefano has been more than just a representative for the men’s hockey team, but an active participant in initiatives such as Student Mentors, Recess Guardians, and SAMHI (Student Athlete Mental Health Initiative). Within these roles, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. native has helped first-year students in their transition to university, has taught elementary school students about safe and inclusive play, and provided strong advocacy for mental health awareness. The kinesiology major is also a physiotherapy assistant at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic at Western.

Randy Gregg Award (East) – Brendan Jacome, Ottawa Gee-Gees

After taking home Most Sportsmanlike Player honours a year ago, Ottawa’s Brendan Jacome went beyond the rink to make his mark this season, making him the East Division’s recipient of the Randy Gregg Award

Beyond his active role on the ice, which saw him rank third on the Garnet and Grey in both goals (8) and points (22), Jacome dives in head-first to the team’s community-oriented efforts. The native of Caledon, Ont. lends an immensely helpful hand with the local hockey community clinics, in particular volunteering his time each year with the Ottawa East Minor Hockey Association. The fourth-year forward, who has earned Academic All-Canadian honours in his first three years with Ottawa, also leads the team’s “Movember” campaign efforts, which have raised over $7,500 during Gee-Gees tenure. Jacome is also a strong supporter of the Hockey Gives Blood, Do it for Daron, and Pride Night activities in which the Gee-Gees men’s hockey team takes part. When it comes to doing the right thing for the team, the team’s leader on and off the ice can always be counted on.

Most Sportsmanlike Award (West) – Daniel Del Paggio, Lakehead Thunderwolves

One of the most prominent players for Lakehead this season was also the division’s most sportsmanlike. Daniel Del Paggio, the top scorer for the Thunderwolves, picked up 11 goals and 22 assists on the year, but it wasn’t just about putting up numbers for the junior from Thunder Bay, Ont. As involved as he was with his team’s production, he was able to maintain effective play and respectful conduct all season long, picking up just six minutes of penalties to go along with his 33 points.

Most Sportsmanlike Award (East) – Austin Eastman, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks

Like the T’Wolves standout, it was another featured team figure earning the Most Sportsmanlike Award in the East. Austin Eastman (Lindsay, Ont.) led Ontario Tech in goals (14), assists (16), and points (30), but the Ridgebacks leader also focused on more than just stats. His demeanor on the ice and respectful conduct toward teammates, opposition, and officials made him a deserving recipient of this year’s honour. Eastman, who earned a first team all-star selection in his second season with the Oshawa squad, also spent minimal time in the sin bin this season. He accumulated just four penalty minutes in his 28 games played.

Alongside these talented award winners that have shone both on and off the ice are several additional standouts who turned their respective seasons into conference recognition, the complete list of which is below.

Major Award Winners

East Division

Most Valuable Player – Chris Paquette, RMC

Defender of the Year – Nikolas Brouillard, McGill

Goaltender of the Year – Louis-Philip Guindon, McGill

Rookie of the Year – Chris Paquette, RMC

Randy Gregg Award – Brendan Jacome, Ottawa

Most Sportsmanlike Award – Austin Eastman, Ontario Tech

Coach of the Year – Shaun Van Allen, Carleton

West Division

Most Valuable Player – David Thomson, Toronto

Defender of the Year – Gregory DiTomaso, Ryerson