2026 OHL Awards – Spirit’s Harper wins Bobby Smith Trophy as Scholastic Player of the Year

TORONTO – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that Saginaw Spirit defenceman Levi Harper is this year’s recipient of the Bobby Smith Trophy, presented annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence.

Harper achieved a 93.2% average in his studies, graduating a full year early as he completed all of his high school requirements by the end of Grade 11. His impressive transcript includes 98% averages in both Modern British Literature and World Cultures, along with a 96% in Anatomy and Physiology. His hard work earned him a spot on the University of Nebraska High School honor roll.

“I’m incredibly grateful to receive the Bobby Smith Trophy and humbled to join such a remarkable group of recipients,” said Harper. “To be mentioned alongside high-end players who also prioritize setting a standard off the ice is truly an honor. Many thanks go to Pam Moretuzzo for her support and dedication as well. She was always very willing to help and I am very grateful for her.”

The Spirit’s Academic Advisor, Moretuzzo has high praise for Harper’s achievements in the classroom.

“The OHL is filled with exceptional young athletes, and Levi has distinguished himself in a way that is truly impressive by excelling at the very highest level on the ice while also setting an exceptional standard in the classroom,” she said. “I have had the opportunity to work with many dedicated student-athletes, but Levi’s approach to education stands apart. He does not just fit in schoolwork around hockey, he prioritizes it with the same focus and professionalism he brings to the rink.”

On the ice, the 17-year-old Harper, who isn’t NHL Draft eligible until 2027, set a new Saginaw Spirit record for points by a rookie defenceman with 57 (12-45–57) over 68 games. The 5-foot-11, 170Ib. right-shot defender saw lots of ice for the Spirit after winning gold with the United States at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer. Harper represented the United States at the 2026 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship last month.

“We’re so proud of the work that Levi put into his first season,” said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. “To perform at such a high level on the ice while giving the same amount of attention to his schooling shows incredible maturity. He’s impressed us all year and is a great example to the guys in our dressing room.”

Saginaw’s third round (52nd overall) pick last spring, Harper is a graduate of the Shattuck St. Mary’s hockey program based out of Faribault, Minnesota. The Tampa, Florida product follows Michael Misa as Saginaw’s second-straight Bobby Smith Trophy winner, joining Cole Perfetti (2019-20) in their group of recipients. He joins Sasha Chmelevski (2016-17) and three-time winner Dustin Brown (2001-03) on the list of Americans to have claimed the honour.

Each year the Bobby Smith Trophy is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, a former Ottawa 67’s star who exhibited a standard of excellence in both of these areas.

Harper emerged as the winner of the award from a group of finalists that also included Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs and

Harper will be formally presented with the Bobby Smith Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony held in Toronto this June.

For a full list of OHL award winners, click here.