Spitfires’ Derek Lanoue Named Top Academic University Player of the Year
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Derek Lanoue of the Windsor Spitfires is a back-to-back recipient of the Roger Neilson Memorial Award presented to the Top Academic Player in College or University for the 2010-11 season.
Lanoue, a 20-year-old from Belle River, ON, wins the award for the second straight year as a student attending the University of Windsor. With a six-course load, he maintains an overall academic average of 85.5% which includes marks of 91% in Intro to Economics I, 90% in Statistics for the Sciences, 85% in Linear Algebra, 83% in Intro to Organic Chemistry, 82% in Intro to Inorganic Chemistry, and an 82% in Intro to Economics II. Lanoue is the second player to win the Roger Neilson Memorial Award in back-to-back seasons following goaltender Danny Battochio of the Ottawa 67’s who won the award in the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
“We’re very proud of Derek, to see him win the Roger Neilson Memorial Award for the second consecutive year is truly amazing,” said Spitfires Vic-President and General Manager Warren Rychel. “Derek works extremely hard on and off the ice and his dedication to excellence will serve him well in his future endeavours. His commitment to being the best he can be in all aspects of life makes him a very deserving recipient of this honour.”
On the ice, Lanoue played 55 games for the defending OHL and Memorial Cup champions collecting six goals and 11 assists for 17 points.
“Derek has continued his success this past season while earning more ice time as a veteran player,” said Spitfires Academic Advisor John Laporte. “Thanks to the league’s education policy, he is well on his way to earning his degree in Chemistry maintaining a better than A-average.”
The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is named in honour of the Hall of Fame Coach who served behind the Peterborough Petes bench in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Neilson, a former high school teacher, was a pioneer in stressing the importance of education to all of his players.
Former winners also include current CIS athletes Scott Aarssen of the University of Western Ontario Mustangs (London 2007-08), and Tim Priamo of the University of Guelph Gryphons (Guelph 2008-09).
Nathan Chiarlitti of the Sarnia Sting was the runner-up for the award, with the Oshawa Generals’ Anton Zupancic finishing in third place.
Lanoue will be formally presented with his award at the annual OHL Awards Ceremony June 8 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
2010-11 Roger Neilson Memorial Award Nominees:
Barrie – Chris Buonamo (Laurentian University)
Belleville – Braden Corbeth (Queen’s University)
Brampton – Cody St. Jacques (University of Guelph)*
Erie – Mike Cazzola (Mercyhurst College)
Guelph – Kyle Pereira (University of Guelph)
Kingston – Ethan Werek (Queen’s University)
Kitchener – Andrew Crescenzi (Wilfrid Laurier University)
London – Cody Donnay (University of Western Ontario)
Mississauga – Joseph Cramarossa (University of Toronto)
Niagara – Freddie Hamilton (Brock University)
Oshawa – Anton Zupancic (Durham College)
Ottawa – Shane Prince (Carleton University)
Owen Sound – Daniel Zweep (Mohawk College)
Peterborough – Justin Larson (Trent University)
Plymouth – Matt Mahalak (University of Michigan)
Saginaw – Mickey Sartoretto (Northwood University)
Sarnia – Nathan Chiarlitti (University of Guelph)
Sudbury – Josh McFadden (Laurentian University)
Sault Ste. Marie – Brock Beukeboom (Algoma College)
Windsor – Derek Lanoue (University of Windsor)*
*Repeat Roger Neilson Memorial Award nominee
OHL Academic Highlights:
• OHL players successfully completed 97% of high school courses during the 2009-10 season.
• Of the 57 overage players that competed in the league during the 2009-10 season, 31 have signed professional hockey contracts while 26 have accessed their academic scholarships in 2010-11 at various institutions across North America.
• 363 OHL graduates and current players are on scholarship from OHL Member Teams at 66 different institutions across North America.
2010-11 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
West Division:
February – Grant Webermin, Windsor Spitfires
January – Brock Beukeboom, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
December – Nathan Chiarlitti, Sarnia Sting
November – Brandon Saad, Saginaw Spirit
October – Tom Wilson, Plymouth Whalers
Midwest Division:
February – Jarrod Maidens, Owen Sound Attack
January – Chris Tierney, London Knights
December – Andrew Crescenzi, Kitchener Rangers
November – Garret Sparks, Guelph Storm
October – Adam Pelech, Erie Otters
Central Division:
February – Dylan DeMelo, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors
January – Samuel Schutt, Sudbury Wolves
December – Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs
November – Jordan Auld, Brampton Battalion
October – Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts
East Division:
February – Andrew D’Agostini, Peterborough Petes
January – Ryan Shipley, Ottawa 67’s
December – Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals
November – Franky Palazzese, Kingston Frontenacs
October – Jan Kaminsky, Belleville Bulls
2010-11 OHL Award Winners:
Rookie of the Year – Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting
Coach of the Year – Mark Reeds, Owen Sound Attack
Overage Player of the Year – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers
Scholastic Player of the Year – Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs
High School Academic Player of the Year – Andrew D’Agostini, Peterborough Petes
Post-Secondary School Player of the Year – Derek Lanoue, Windsor Spitfires
Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year – TBA
Humanitarian of the Year – TBA
Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy winner – TBA
Executive of the Year – TBA
Bill Long Award winner – TBA
Defenceman of the Year – TBA
Goaltender of the Year – TBA
OHL All-Star Teams – TBA
Most Outstanding Player of the Year – TBA
