Four OHL representatives recognized with 2023 CHL Awards

 

Kamloops, BC – The Canadian Hockey League announced its 10 winners of annual year-end awards on Saturday, with four emerging from the Ontario Hockey League.

The finalists of each award are determined by the winner of the corresponding award presented in each member league: the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Western Hockey League.

Brian Kilrea CHL Coach of the Year Award – Dave Cameron, Ottawa 67’s
Finalists: Brennan Sonne (Saskatoon Blades), Stéphane Julien (Sherbrooke Phoenix)

Named in recognition of former Ottawa 67’s head coach and the CHL’s all-time winningest coach Brian Kilrea, the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award is presented annually to the Canadian Hockey League’s top coach. This year’s recipient was Dave Cameron of the Ottawa 67s. In just his second season with the 67’s, Cameron led Ottawa to an OHL-best record of 51-12-3-2 for a franchise-record 107 points this past season. His 67’s also allowed a CHL-low 171 goals this season, and his team’s penalty kill operated at 84.1 percent — good for second-best in the CHL. Media Availability

Past OHL recipients of the Brian Kilrea CHL Coach of the Year Award:
2019-20: Andre Tourigny (Ottawa)
2017-18: Drew Bannister (Sault Ste. Marie)
2016-17: Ryan McGill (Owen Sound)
2014-15: Sheldon Keefe (Sault Ste. Marie)
2008-09: Bob Boughner (Windsor)
2007-08: Bob Boughner (Windsor)
2003-04: Dale Hunter (London)
1999-00: Peter DeBoer (Plymouth)
1996-97: Brian Kilrea (Ottawa)
1994-95: Craig Hartsburg (Guelph)
1993-94: Bert Templeton (North Bay)
1988-89: Joe McDonnell (Kitchener)

CHL Sportsman of the Year Award – Evan Vierling, Barrie Colts
Finalists: Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw Warriors ), Attilio Biasca (Halifax Mooseheads)

The CHL Sportsman Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the player judged to be the most sportsmanlike player among the CHL’s 60 clubs. This year’s winner is Evan Vierling of the Barrie Colts. The 20-year-old finished this season with a career-high 95 points (35 G, 60 A) while only collecting 12 penalty minutes. He was just the ninth player in Barrie Colts history to record 60 assists in a single season. Vierling is the first player from the Colts to win this award since it was first given out in 1990. Media Availability

Past OHL recipients of the CHL Sportsman of the Year Award:
2019-20: Nick Robertson (Peterborough)
2016-17: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound)
2012-13: Tyler Graovac (Belleville)
2004-05: Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie)
2002-03: Kyle Wellwood (Windsor)
2001-02: Brad Boyes (Erie)

CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award – Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack
Finalists: Quinn Mantei (Brandon Wheat Kings), Julien Béland (Rimouski Oceanic)

The CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the CHL player who is best able to combine success on the ice with success in the classroom. This year’s recipient is Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack. As the first recipient of this award from Owen Sound, Barlow finished this past year with an overall average of 93 percent across his Grade 12 University-level courses. On the ice, Barlow led the Attack with 79 points this season. Ranked 12th on the NHL Central Scouting’s final list of North American players eligible for this year’s NHL Draft, Barlow tallied 12 game-winning goals this season, which placed him in a tie for the CHL lead with Jordan Dumais of the Halifax Mooseheads. Media Availability

Past OHL recipients of the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award:
2021-22: Owen Beck (Mississauga)
2019-20: Cole Perfetti (Saginaw)
2016-17: Sasha Chmelevski (Ottawa)
2014-15: Connor McDavid (Erie)
2013-14: Connor McDavid (Erie)
2010-11: Dougie Hamilton (Niagara)
2002-03: Dustin Brown (Guelph)
1999-00: Brad Boyes (Erie)
1998-99: Rob Zepp (Plymouth)
1995-96: Boyd Devereaux (Kitchener)
1991-92: Nathan Lafayette (Cornwall)
1987-88: Darrin Shannon (Windsor)

CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award – Dalyn Wakely, North Bay Battalion
Finalists: Logan Stankoven (Kamloops Blazers), Cam Squires (Cape Breton Eagles)

The CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented to the CHL player judged to have made the most notable contribution to his community. This year’s recipient is Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion. Through his Wake’s Sake initiative, Wakely and his Battalion teammates worked at a community kitchen every Tuesday from November through the end of the regular season to prepare and serve meals to the city’s homeless and low-income populations. Additionally, the Wake’s Sake initiative held monthly donation drives to benefit underserved populations in the region, raising a final tally of $2,100 in monetary donations for the Gathering Place. Over 600 winter coats, 450 mitts and gloves, 400 hats, and more than 2,000 hygiene products were also generously donated by Battalion fans at the North Bay Memorial Gardens as part of Wakely’s initiative. Media Availability

Past OHL recipients of the CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award:
2017-18: Garrett McFadden (Guelph)
2015-16: Will Petschenig (Oshawa)
2012-13: Ben Fanelli (Kitchener)
2009-10: Ryan Hayes (Plymouth)
2005-06: Mike Angelidis (Owen Sound)
2003-04: Chris Campoli (Erie)
1997-98: Jason Metcalfe (London)
1995-96: Craig Mills (Belleville)
1992-93: Keli Corpse (Kingston)

For a full list of 2022-23 CHL Award recipients, visit chl.ca.