OHL grads honoured with OUA awards and all-star recognition
Several OHL graduates have been recognized with Ontario University Athletics awards and all-star team designations for the 2021-22 season:
Most Valuable Player & Defenceman of the Year – OUA East Division: Nicolas Mattinen, Ottawa Gee-Gees
London, Flint, Hamilton, Oshawa – 2015-19
A standout on the blueline amongst his East/Far East counterparts, Ottawa’s Nicolas Mattinen takes home not one, but two major awards on the ice this season, as the top defender is also crowned the most valuable player.
With the program having never garnered a recipient for the former, Mattinen is breaking new ground as a standout rearguard for the Gee-Gees, and does so with the reputation of being a hard person to play against. The Ottawa, Ont. native uses his tall frame and exceptional reach to not only be a good defender and cut off plays, but also to showcase his impressive puck skills. Whether it is breaking out with the puck, unleashing his shot, or demonstrating his overall poise and confidence, the Gee-Gees blueliner has proven to be a threat in all three zones.
The two-time OHL champion (2016 with London; 2018 with Hamilton) and 2016 Memorial Cup winner with the Knights, played an average of 24 minutes per game for the Gee-Gees and maintain a responsible style of play therein, staying out of the penalty box during the lofty time he logged. The ability to do so proved even more impressive given the effort that the opposition spent zoning in on him on the ice. He also helped anchor the team’s penalty kill that ranked fifth overall in the conference at 83.9%, while also shining on the power play, and on offence in general.
The human kinetics major totalled 13 points on the year, good for an average of over 0.7 per contest. He recorded seven helpers, while also finding the back of the net six times, a total that included a pair of markers with the man advantage, as well as one while shorthanded. Two of his six tallies also came as game winners, matching quantity with quality as part of his all-star season.
The MVP honour is the fourth for the Ottawa program and the first for the team since the 1995-96 season.
Most Valuable Player – OUA West Division: Mason Kohn, Windsor Lancers
Kitchener, Saginaw, Oshawa – 2013-18
While the East/Far East’s top player called the blueline home, the honour in the Far West/West played a starring role up front for the Windsor Lancers. Mason Kohn, who joined the Lancers in 2021-22 as a grad transfer, made an immediate impact with his new team. Bringing a championship pedigree to the team, coming in with a Queen’s Cup title from his time with the Gaels, Kohn’s leadership and all-around play was an integral part of the Far West Division regular season champions.
The native of Hollywood, Fla. registered 20 points – six goals, 14 assists – in his 16 games played. The point total was good for sixth in the conference, but in addition to his offensive prowess, he proved to be a force at the other end of the ice, playing a complete 200-foot game for the Lancers.
The law school student, who was held off the scoresheet just four times this season, becomes the seventh MVP award winner in team history.
Rookie of the Year & Randy Gregg Award – OUA West: Kyle Bollers, Rams
Saginaw, Oshawa – 2016-19
Taking home both top rookie and Randy Gregg Award honours in the West/Far West is Rams forward Kyle Bollers, who has worked hard to ensure that equity-seeking communities are being represented and given the same opportunity to play hockey and learn the game.
Included in these efforts is Bollers’ work with the Black Aces hockey program, helping kids from underserved communities learn to skate, while also serving as a tutor/mentor. The first-year forward from Oshawa, Ont. was also a key contributor in the Regent Park community skate, where the team engaged the Toronto community in conjunction with the Toronto Police. The sport media major has also raised funds through his Against All Odds account by selling t-shirts supporting underserved communities and breast cancer awareness, and has been helping to organize the annual Golf 4 ALS tournament since 2014, raising funds for ALS Canada and Sunnybrook Hospital.
Even with the dedication and effort put forth this off-ice initiatives, Bollers also impressed in the rink during his foray into the OUA. The West Division all-star put his name on the map in a big way as the crème of the freshman crop in the region, en route to being selected as the West/Far West rookie of the year.
Despite this being his first season, Bollers saw his name tied atop the OUA leaderboard in goals (13) and ranked third in total points (25). He also showed up when it mattered most for the Rams, netting four game-winning tallies for the Toronto-based squad. With a knack for scoring, it become commonplace to see his name on the scoresheet, being held off it on only three occasions in his 15 games played. And while there were many memorable moments during his debut campaign, his crowning individual achievement this season came in the form of a six-point game (2G, 4A) against Lakehead on March 4.
Defenceman of the Year – OUA West: Ryan Barbosa, Windsor Lancers
Ottawa, Mississauga – 2015, 2018-19
Mason Kohn wasn’t the only all-star and award winner for the Lancers this season; however, as the Windsor contingent also have the region’s top defender in Ryan Barbosa.
The Far West/West defenceman of the year was a potent presence on the Lancers back end. Playing in his second year of eligibility at Windsor, the skilled, puck-moving defender played big minutes in any and all situations for the blue and gold this season. Beyond being adept on defence, the product of Mississauga, Ont. also contributed on offence, chipping in with a goal and seven assists in his 16 games played.
The academic all-Canadian studying human kinetics was a key reason the team was able to achieve the level of success that they did this season.
Goaltender of the Year – OUA East: Luke Richardson, Queen’s Gaels
Kitchener Rangers – 2015-19
As much as the Gaels thrived up front, they also boasted the region’s most potent player between the pipes, as Luke Richardson was as unbeatable as they came during the 2021-22 campaign.
The former Kitchener Rangers goalie has been rock solid since suiting up for Queen’s, with his 11 games this season proving to be his most electrifying stretch. In those starts, the Barrie, Ont. native collected 10 wins to pace the OUA pack of puck-stoppers. He also topped the league in save percentage (.944) and goals-against average (1.34) on the year to help guide the Gaels to the top spot in the East Division.
Despite his consistent play throughout the year, the arts and science student found another gear down the home stretch, picking up shutouts in his final three starts of the regular season to bring his total to four goose eggs overall.
After a solid showing in his debut campaign in 2019-20, the stingy numbers led to Richardson taking home the Tricolour’s first top goaltender award in program history.
Most Sportsmanlike Award – OUA West: Kyle Pettit, Western Mustangs
Erie Otters – 2012-17
Kyle Pettit leads in the dressing room and on the ice for the Mustangs, and even while playing in all but two of the team’s games this season, he only accumulated four penalty minutes. An easy-going and calm presence on the Western roster, Pettit was named the team’s captain after the extended winter break.
The fourth-year forward from Komoka, Ont., who is the definition of an all-around player, had the team’s top face-off percentage at 63%, including a game in which he went 22-4; led the group in shot blocks at 4.8 per game; was a plus-9 on the season; and was Western’s top penalty-killer.
Not only is the London squad’s top centre an academic all-Canadian studying social science, but he has also helped across various campus and community initiatives during his tenure with the team, which included being the program leader for the summer Mustangs Hockey Academy prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Randy Gregg Award – OUA East: Liam Murray, RMC Paladins
Windsor, Kingston – 2013-18
The RMC Paladins saw one of their best and brightest get named as the East/Far East Randy Gregg award recipient.
Liam Murray has been an exceptional leader for the Paladins throughout his time with the program, as evidenced by his captaincy in his graduating year. Murray’s leadership, however, extends beyond the locker room and into the community. In addition to his altruism within the hockey community, where he helps coach the Greater Kingston hockey team, the Ottawa, Ont. native is also a continuing volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington.
The true mark of a leader, the third-year defenceman not only gives his own time, but also encourages others to give back as well. Murray is the Paladins team ambassador for Hockey Gives Blood, ensuring as many of his teammates as possible join him in participating in this worthy initiative.
On top of everything else, as a part-time member of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Canadian Army Reserve with the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment, Murray has been promoted to the rank of Corporal for his dedication and leadership, always finding time when he’s not in class or on the ice to fulfill his military duties.
All-Stars:
Far East Division:
D – Nicolas Mattinen (Ottawa Gee-Gees/London, Flint, Hamilton, Oshawa, 2015-19)
18 GP, 6G, 7A, 13 PTS.
East Division:
F – Jonathan Yantsis (Queen’s Gaels/Kitchener Rangers, 2016-20)
19 GP, 9G, 17A, 26 PTS.
D – Owen Lalonde (Queen’s Gaels/Sudbury, Guelph, Flint, 2016-20)
19 GP, 5G, 16A, 21 PTS.
G – Luke Richardson (Queen’s Gaels/Kitchener Rangers, 2015-19)
11 GP, 10-1-0, 1.34 GAA, .944 SV%, 3 SO
West Division:
F – Mason Kohn (Windsor Lancers/Kitchener, Oshawa, Saginaw, 2013-18)
16 GP, 6G, 14A, 20 PTS.
F – Franco Sproviero (Western Mustangs/Sarnia Sting, 2014-19)
14 GP, 5G, 8A, 13 PTS.
D – Ryan Barbosa (Windsor Lancers/Ottawa, Mississauga, 2015, 2018-19)
16 GP, 1G 7A, 8 PTS.
D – Matt Timms (Guelph Gryphons/Peterborough, London, 2014-19)
14 GP, 3G, 6A, 9 PTS.
G – Christian Propp (Laurier Golden Hawks/Barrie, North Bay, Soo, 2015-2020)
11 GP, 6-5-0, 2.18 GAA, .925 SV%, 2 SO
Far West Division:
F – Kyle Bollers (Rams/Saginaw, Oshawa, 2016-19)
15 GP, 13G, 12A, 25 PTS.
F – Kyle Potts (Toronto Varsity Blues/North Bay Battalion, 2015-19)
17 GP, 13G, 6A, 19 PTS.
F – Joseph Mack (Lakehead Thunderwolves/Erie, Sarnia, 2017-20)
16 GP, 6G, 13A, 19 PTS.
D – Ryan Wells (Rams/Mississauga Steelheads, 2016-19)
15 GP, 3G, 7A, 10 PTS.
All-Rookies:
Jacob Roach (F) (Brock Badgers/Guelph Storm, 2019-20)
14 GP, 4G, 4A, 8 PTS.
Oliver Castleman (F) (Carleton Ravens/Niagara IceDogs, 2016-20)
11 GP, 5G, 8A, 13 PTS.
Luke Bignell (F) (Guelph Gryphons/Barrie Colts, 2016-20)
14 GP, 3G, 3A, 6 PTS.
Joseph Mack (F) (Lakehead Thunderwolves/Erie, Sarnia, 2017-20)
16 GP, 6G, 13A, 19 PTS.
Christian Propp (G) (Laurier Golden Hawks/Barrie, North Bay, Soo, 2015-2020)
11 GP, 6-5-0, 2.18 GAA, .925 SV%, 2 SO
Eric Uba (F) (McGill Redbirds/Flint, Guelph, 2017-20)
17 GP, 7G, 4A, 11 PTS.
Harrison Caines (F) (Nipissing Lakers/North Bay Battalion, 2018-20)
15 GP, 4G, 7A 11 PTS.
Kyle Bollers (F) (Rams/Saginaw, Oshawa, 2016-19)
15 GP, 13G, 12A, 25 PTS.
Billy Moskal (F) (Toronto Varsity Blues/London Knights, 2016-20)
17 GP, 8G, 11A, 19 PTS.
Daniel Walker (F) (Waterloo Warriors/North Bay, Oshawa, 2016-20)
12 GP, 8G, 9A, 17 PTS.
Andrew Bruder (F) (Western Mustangs/Niagara IceDogs, 2017-20)
11 GP, 2G, 4A, 6 PTS.
Holden Wale (D) (Windsor Lancers/Soo, Kitchener, 2016-20)
16 GP, 3G, 12A, 15 PTS.
For more information, visit oua.ca.
