OHL Academic Players for January

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for January 2019, including forwards Logan Morrison of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Peter Fleming of the Barrie Colts, Alex Gritz of the Erie Otters and Ethan Keppen of the Flint Firebirds.

East Division: Hamilton Bulldogs rookie Logan Morrison is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for January, recording an average in the 80’s across the board in his Grade 11 studies at Ancaster High School. Morrison is currently studying university level International Business, Recreation & Healthy Active Living Leadership and Challenge and Change programs as a 16-year-old in his first OHL season. “Logan puts the ‘student’ in student-athlete,” said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson. “He is always on time with his assignments and never falls behind in his studies, even with a busy schedule in the OHL.” A native of Guelph, Ont., Morrison has 18 points (6-12–18) through 30 games this season after being Hamilton’s first round pick last spring from the Guelph Gryphons Minor Midgets.

Central Division: Barrie Colts rookie Peter Fleming is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for January, maintaining an 84% average in his Grade 12 studies. “Peter’s plan is to attend university and complete an engineering degree,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. “He’s currently excelling in university level biology, physics and co-op programs and is looking forward to second semester challenges in chemistry and math.” On the ice, Fleming has four points (2-2–4) through 39 games this season. The 6-foot-2, 167Ib winger was Barrie’s sixth round pick in 2017. He spent last season with the St. Thomas Stars Jr. B club.

Midwest Division: Erie Otters winger Alex Gritz is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for January, carrying a 93% average through studies at Seneca Valley High School. He’s currently studying Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, Modern Humanities, Consumer Decisions, Physical Education, French, Health and Personal Finance. “Alex is an extremely motivated young man working diligently every day to balance his academics with his hockey commitments,” said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. Now in his third OHL season, Gritz has recorded 18 points (7-11–18) through 42 games in 2018-19. The native of Cranberry Township, Penn. was originally a third round pick of the Soo Greyhounds in 2016 from the Waterloo Wolves Minor Midgets.

West Division: Flint Firebirds winger Ethan Keppen is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for January, achieving high grades in Grade 12 Advanced Sports Skills, Accounting/Finance, Life Management and Foundations of College Mathematics programs at Grand Blanc High School. “Ethan is a leader inside and outside of the classroom,” said Firebirds academic advisor Nathan Riek. “He is a mature young man and is well-liked and respected by his classmates and teachers.” The 17-year-old from Whitby, Ont. has 40 points (20-20–40) over 52 games this season. Keppen had a productive month of January, one that included a 10-game point streak and 12 points (7-5–12) in as many games. Flint’s first round pick in 2017, Keppen is eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft.

2018-19 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
January – Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
December – Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
November – Will Cranley (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Nick Wong (Oshawa Generals)

Central Division:
January – Peter Fleming (Barrie Colts)
December – Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
November – Peter Stratis (Sudbury Wolves)
October – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)

Midwest Division:
January – Alex Gritz (Erie Otters)
December – Mack Guzda (Owen Sound Attack)
November – Gerard Keane (London Knights)
October – Isaac Langdon (Kitchener Rangers)

West Division:
January – Ethan Keppen (Flint Firebirds)
December – Jordan Frasca (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
October – Colton Kammerer (Sarnia Sting)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 321 OHL Alumni at 66 different academic institutions across North America with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.2 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $22 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.