OHL Academic Players for October

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for October, 2016, including forwards Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes, Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack, Cole Purboo of the Windsor Spitfires and goaltender Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads.

East Division: Peterborough Petes sophomore forward Zach Gallant is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The Oakville, ON, native claims his second Academic Player of the Month award after earning the distinction in February, 2016. The grade 12 student is currently excelling in his schoolwork, striving for success both in the classroom and on the ice. Gallant is achieving high grades in University level English, Biology and Physics courses at St. Peter’s Secondary School. On the ice, Gallant has a goal and six assists over 14 games and is among the league’s top faceoff-men with a 60% success rate (138/228). He scored his first career OHL goal on September 28th against Oshawa.

Central Division: Mississauga Steelheads rookie goaltender Jacob Ingham has been named the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for October. A 16-year-old grade 11 student at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School, Ingham is excelling in University level courses this semester and has earned praise from his teachers and academic advisors. The Barrie, ON, native is 2-2-1-1 over seven games this season and is currently representing Team Canada Black at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie. He was Mississauga’s second round (26th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

Midwest Division: Owen Sound Attack sophomore forward Nick Suzuki is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for October. Suzuki is described as a “self-motivated learner who takes full responsibility for his own learning,” by Attack academic advisor Sarah Rowe. “He is the first to offer help to our younger players who are taking Math and Science. He makes balancing the demands of school and sport look easy.” Suzuki is currently taking University level Advanced Functions, English and Organizational Business along with two Co-op periods. The grade 12 student at Owen Sound District Secondary School has six goals, eight assists and 14 points in 15 games this season and is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

West Division: Windsor Spitfires rookie forward Cole Purboo is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The 17-year-old grade 12 student at St. Anne’s Catholic High School is described as “intelligent and intuitive” by Spitfires academic advisor Danielle Chevalier. “His teachers comment on how he frequently participates in class and respects those offering different points of view,” she continued. Purboo is currently taking University level Chemistry, Law and English courses. On the ice, he has five goals and an assist over 14 games this season.

2016-17 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
October – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)

Central Division:
October – Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)

Midwest Division:
October – Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)

West Division:
October – Cole Purboo (Windsor Spitfires)

During the 2015-16 season, the OHL centrally administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 315 OHL graduates attending 57 different academic institutions with a total scholarship payment in excess of $2.9 million.  Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.