Bulldogs’ Lawson Sherk Named OHL’s Top Academic High School Student
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to announce that Hamilton Bulldogs forward Lawson Sherk is the 2020-21 recipient of the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award presented annually to the League’s Top Academic High School Student.
Sherk achieved a 95.2% average over six University-level Grade 12 courses at Ancaster High School. His grades included a 97% in Advanced Functions, a 97% in Healthy Active Living, 96% in Calculus and Vectors, 95% in Physics, 94% in Chemistry and 92% in English.
“I’m honoured to receive the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award,” said Sherk. “COVID has made this a tough year but I’ve had a lot of time to focus on my education. It’s very rewarding to be recognized for my academic achievements during a year that has been difficult for all.”
An 18-year-old native of Halton Hills, Ont., Sherk collected 15 points (5-10–15) in his rookie season with the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-1, 175Ib. centreman was a second round (40th overall) pick by the club in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection after earning OMHA (SCTA) Player of the Year honours with the Halton Hurricanes U16 program. He was recently ranked 153rd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2021 NHL Draft in July.
“From the moment Lawson walked through the doors he has exemplified everything that being a Hamilton Bulldog should be,” said Bulldogs president and general manager Steve Staios. “Through his commitment, dedication and leadership it comes with great pride but no surprise to see Lawson awarded the 2021 Ivan Tennant Award. The Hamilton Bulldogs would like to congratulate and commend Lawson and his family, with a special thank you to academic advisor Sean Nicholson, for their commitment to education and his work to be a role model both on and off the ice for his teammates and future athletes in the Hamilton community.
“The Hamilton Bulldogs share the same pride in Lawson as he does in representing our team and community and look forward to his continued development in Hamilton.”
The Ivan Tennant Memorial Award is given to the League’s Top Academic High School Player and is named in honour of Ivan Tennant, who spent a lifetime combining hockey and education. He was the Kitchener Rangers’ Education Consultant for 20 years and a key figure on the OHL’s Education Consultant’s Committee. Sherk becomes the first Bulldogs player to win one of the League’s three major academic awards. Other past recipients include back-to-back winner Mack Guzda (Owen Sound, 2018 & 2019), Kyle Keyser (Flint, 2016), Stephen Dhillon (Niagara, 2015) and Adam Pelech (Erie, 2012).
Finalists for the award included rookies Matthew Poitras of the Guelph Storm, Owen Beck of the Mississauga Steelheads and Isaiah George of the London Knights.
