CHRISTIAN FINCH NAMED CJHL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Article Courtesy of the OJHL
Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Leading Scorer and Most Valuable Player Christian Finch (pictured 2nd from left - photo credit: Hockey Canada Images) of the Stouffville Spirit has been named the Canadian Junior Hockey League's (CJHL) RBC Player of the Year.
The former defenceman, who made the move up front two seasons ago, had a career year in leading the Spirit throughout the 2011-12 OJHL season. The native of the Unionville, Ontario, who will be heading to Clarkson University next season, led the OJHL in scoring by an 18 point margin over the second place finisher with 104 points. Finch's totals earned him OJHL Most Valuable Player honours, as well as 1st Team All-Star, while also being named runner-up to teammate Andrew Doyle in voting for the first-ever Fan Favourite Award.
Finch becomes the second consecutive OJHL player to win the award, joining Zach Hyman of the Hamilton Red Wings who won last season, and the third player in league history, also joining Trent Walfort of the Newmarket 87's. This marks just the third time in the awards 24-year history that one league has won back-to-back Player of the Year honours (joining the AJHL in 1998-1999 & 2003-2004).
Below is the official press release from Hockey Canada at the 2012 RBC Cup, National Junior 'A' Championship in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, where he was presented with is award.
The 2012 RBC Cup, Canada's 42nd National Junior A Championship, held its awards banquet on Friday night at the Humboldt Uniplex. The recipients of all six individual awards were announced at the banquet.
The awards were based on the tournament's preliminary round, which ran from Saturday to Thursday.
The 2012 RBC Cup award winners are:
Most Valuable Player (Roland Mercier Trophy) – John Kleinhans (Soo Thunderbirds)
Top Goaltender – John Kleinhans (Soo Thunderbirds)
Top Forward – Andrew Johnston (Humboldt Broncos)
Top Defenceman – Troy Stecher (Penticton Vees)
Most Sportsmanlike Player (Tubby Schmalz Trophy) – Micky Sartoretto (Soo Thunderbirds)
Top Scorer – Andrew Johnston (Humboldt Broncos)
In addition, Stouffville Spirit (Ontario Junior Hockey League) forward Christian Finch was presented with the 2012 RBC Canadian Junior Hockey League Player of the Year award. A defenceman until the start of the 2010-11 season, Finch has settled right in at forward for the Spirit, taking home the OJHL scoring title this year with 104 points (37 goals, 67 assists), 18 more than any other Ontario leaguer. He was rewarded for his offensive efforts, taking home the OJHL MVP award and earning a spot on the league’s First All-Star Team.
Theodore Hannah of the Carleton Place Canadians (Central Canada Hockey League) was on hand in Humboldt to receive the RBC National Junior A Scholarship. Hannah was chosen from 10 finalists – one from each of the Canadian Junior Hockey League's member leagues – to receive the $5,000 scholarship.
The RBC Cup Legacy Scholarships were also handed out at the awards banquet. Established following the 2004 RBC Royal Bank Cup in Grande Prairie, Alta. and contributed to following successful National Junior A Championships in Weyburn, Sask., Prince George, B.C., and Cornwall, Ont., these $500 scholarships are awarded to one graduating 20-year-old player from each of the five participating teams.
The RBC Cup Legacy Scholarship winners are:
Humboldt Broncos – Ryan Marshall
Penticton Vees – Kyle Beaulieu
Portage Terriers – Cody Kostecki
Soo Thunderbirds – Kris Barclay
Woodstock Slammers – Tim Campbell
