Chadwick, George, and Morin named finalists for 2023-24 CHL Scholastic Player of the Year

Noah Chadwick of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack, and Alexis Morin of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens have been named nominees for the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award, which is presented annually to the CHL player who is best able to combine success on the ice with success in the classroom.

The nominees for this prize are based on the recipients of the regional awards including the OHL’s Bobby Smith Trophy, QMJHL’s Marcel-Robert Trophy, and the WHL’s Daryl K. Doc Seaman Memorial Award.

The recipient of the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award will be announced and given his trophy at a ceremony for the 2024 CHL Awards on Saturday, June 1, in Saginaw, Michigan. The latter is an event taking place as part of the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow in Saginaw, which is scheduled to run from May 23 – June 2.

Over the years, the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award has been won by many great players including Scott Niedermayer (Kamloops Blazers), Brad Boyes (Erie Otters), Dustin Brown (Guelph Storm), Devan Dubnyk (Kamloops Blazers), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs), Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert Raiders), Connor McDavid (Erie Otters), Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit), and most recently Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack).

WHL Nominee — Noah Chadwick (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
12G-44A, 56 PTS, +13 in 66 GP during the 2023-24 season

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Noah Chadwick of the Lethbridge Hurricanes was excellent both on the ice and in the classroom over the 2023-24 season. The 19-year-old from Saskatoon, Sask., graduated Grade 12 a year early and began post-secondary studies at Athabasca University and Lethbridge College. At his high school graduation, he was recognized with the Governor General Award, which is presented to the student with the highest grades in his graduating class.

At Lethbridge College, Chadwick earned a 98-percent average in English 1150 – Academic Writing this fall. He also worked through Introduction to Statistics at Athabasca University, securing a 93-percent average and collecting a 91-percent grade in Psychology as a Natural Science.

On the ice, Chadwick had a memorable year, establishing new career highs in goals (12), assists (44), and points (56) in 66 games. His 56 points led all Hurricanes defencemen during the 2023-24 campaign and they also ranked fourth among blueliners in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. Selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Chadwick signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Leafs in December 2023. At the end of the Hurricanes’ season, Chadwick joined the AHL’s Toronto Marlies making his pro debut on April 21.

OHL Nominee — Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
23-21-6-3 record, 3.30 GAA, .907 SV% & 4 SO in 56 GP during the 2023-24 season

2024 NHL prospect Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack was a force both in the classroom and between the pipes for the Attack this season. Registering a 93.8 percent average across six Grade 12 university-level courses at Owen Sound District Secondary School, George’s transcript was headlined by a 99 percent grade in Business Co-Op, a 97 percent in Organizational Business, and 95 percent finishes in both English and International Business.

Ranked second among North American goalies by NHL Central Scouting, the highest ranking of any netminder in the CHL ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, George also excelled on the ice – leading the CHL in saves (1744) and shots faced (1923) during the 2023-24 regular season. George’s four shutouts were tied for the most of any goalie in the OHL, while his .907 save percentage was the second-best mark in the OHL (min. 1600 minutes) trailing only Mississauga’s Ryerson Leenders (.909). George’s 23 wins this season were the most by a rookie goaltender in Attack franchise history.

Recently, the 18-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., played a big role in Canada’s gold medal victory at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship. Named the tournament’s top goaltender, George finished the event with a 2.33 goals against average and a .915 save percentage, both of which ranked second among all goalies at the U18 World Championship.

For his efforts both on and off the ice, George was named the recipient of the 2023-24 Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year. He also won the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award as the OHL’s top academic high-school student – making George the first dual winner of both the Bobby Smith and Ivan Tennant awards since Erie Otters defenceman Adam Pelech achieved the feat in 2012. Additionally, George is just the second Attack player to ever come away with the Bobby Smith Trophy after Winnipeg Jets prospect Colby Barlow became the first from Owen Sound to earn that honour last season.

QMJHL Nominee — Alexis Morin (Chicoutimi Saguenéens)
29G-28A, 57 PTS, -2 in 66 GP during the 2023-24 season

Alexis Morin of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens epitomized what it meant to be a student-athlete during the 2023-24 season. Recently, Morin earned his CÉGEP diploma in natural sciences with an average of near 95%. The 20-year-old from Québec, Que., accomplished all of this having attended two CÉGEP schools (Drummondville & Chicoutimi) over the last year as he was traded from the Voltigeurs to the Saguenéens in January 2023. Known for his outstanding organization and communication skills, Morin is hoping to continue his studies in either law or medicine at McGill University.

On the ice, playing in his fifth career QMJHL season and first complete season with the Saguenéens, Morin had his most productive season to date. The Chicoutimi assistant captain recorded career-highs across the board in goals (29), assists (28), and points (57) over 66 games during the 2023-24 campaign. His 57 points ranked tied for third on the team in scoring.

By winning the Marcel-Robert Trophy, Morin became the first Sags player to take home the award since Rafaël Harvey-Pinard achieved the feat in 2019-20. The 20-year-old is also the seventh player in the history of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens to win this honour, following Harvey-Pinard, Nicolas Therrien (2010-11), Dominic Jalbert (2009-10), Marc Denis (1995-96), Patrice Tremblay (1986-87) and Gilbert Paiement (1983-84).