NEWS

The OJHL's best this past season (2012-13) were honoured yesterday at the Ontario Hockey Association's (OHA) year-end Award Ceremony that was held at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  Seven players and one coach each received recognition and were presented with their awards for their outstanding seasons.

Pictured - photo credit: Gary Keys/OJHL Images

Top Row (starting 5th from left):
Tyler Enns - Toronto Lakeshore Patriots
Patrick McCarron - St. Michael's Buzzers
Matt Buckles - St. Michael's Buzzers
Troy Josephs - St. Michael's Buzzers
Michael Peca - Buffalo Jr. Sabres (far right)

Bottom Row
Tyler Gjurich - Buffalo Jr. Sabres (far left)
Charlie Finn - Kingston Voyageurs (4th from left)

Buffalo Jr. Sabres head coach Michael Peca was named the OHA Coach of the Year after guiding his club to its first-ever regular season Conference title, finishing first place in the South-West Conference and second overall in the entire OJHL.  The Sabres combined a blend of offence, finishing with the top offensive unit, along with Peca's well-known defensive prowress on the ice to have their best season in franchise history.

Peca's star forward Tyler Gjurich added to his trophy haul this season after being named the OHA's Junior 'A' Player of the Year.  The OJHL 1st Team All-Star, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player led the OJHL in scoring with 97 points while also being the only player to hit the magical 50 goal mark.  Gjurich will be attending the University of Maine and playing for the Black Bears next season.

Matt Buckles of the St. Michael's Buzzers was named the recipient of the prestigious B.J. Monro Memorial Trophy as the OHA's Top Professional Prospect.  Also named the OJHL's Top Prospect, Buckles was recently ranked 117th among North American born skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings for the 2013 NHL Draft to be held at the Prudential Cennter in Newark, New Jersey.  Buckles would notch 40 goals to lead the Buzzers this season, while also participating at the 2012 World Junior 'A' Challenge as a member of Team Canada East and the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge as a member of the OJHL South Division All-Star Team.

Also honoured during the ceremony were the OHA Top Prospect Awards Team, in which five of the six spots were filled by OJHL players, as follows:

G-Charlie Finn (Kingston Voyageurs)
D-Tyler Enns (Toronto Lakeshore Patriots)
D-Patrick McCarron (St. Michael's Buzzers)
F-Shane Conacher (St. Michael's Buzzers)
F-Troy Josephs (St. Michael's Buzzers)
F-Brady Campbell (Elmira Sugar Kings - GOJHL)

Congratulations to all our OJHL recipients on their well-deserved awards and accomplishments this past season!