67’s’ Austen Keating Named OHL’s Overage Player of the Year

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Austen Keating of the Ottawa 67’s is the 2019-20 recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year.

Keating recorded 89 points including 32 goals and 57 assists over 58 games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-58. He finished tied for third in 67’s team scoring and second among OHL overage skaters, one point back of teammate Joseph Garreffa. His season included 28 different multi-point performances headlined by a career-high seven point effort that yielded three goals and four assists on Nov. 27 at Kingston.

2020 #OHL Overage Player of the Year @AustenKeating graduates as the first player in @Ottawa67sHockey‘s 53-year history to play in over 300 games while also recording over 300 career points. pic.twitter.com/nFoM2TMHi9

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) May 6, 2020

“It’s a great honour to be named the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year, but I never would’ve been able to do it without the great help of many people,” stated Keating. “First off, I’d like to thank all of the Ottawa 67’s coaching staff, as well as my teammates and the Ottawa 67’s fans, who were amazing to me from my very first day with the organization until my last.  I’d also like to thank my family, who have always been by my side through the good and the bad times and who were a huge reason why I was able to succeed this year.”

A 21-year-old native of Guelph, Ont., Keating was originally a first round (16th overall) pick by Ottawa in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He wraps up his OHL career as the only player in 67’s franchise history to play in over 300 career regular season games while racking up over 300 points in the process. His 309 career games rank third in franchise history while his 325 points (113-212–325) place him 12th, a figure that marks the highest career total of any active OHL player. Keating finished tied for third as the most underrated player in the Eastern Conference in the 2019-20 OHL Coaches Poll. Upon season’s end, he made a commitment to attend the University of New Brunswick for the 2020-21 season, preparing to suit up for the defending AUS champion Reds men’s hockey program.

“During his time with the 67’s, Austen has been the consummate team player and his effort and dedication to improve on a day-to-day basis embodies all of the core values of our organization,” said 67’s general manager James Boyd. “Austen developed into a true leader and driving force within our group with his play this season and is most deserving of this prestigious award.”

The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Top Overage Player of the Year as selected by OHL General Managers. Teams were asked to submit a nominee for the award and were not permitted to vote for players from their own hockey club.

First presented in 1984, the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League, in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former Chief Scout of OHL Central Scouting. Leo Lalonde was also formerly the Chief Scout for the Belleville Bulls as well as a scout for the Peterborough Petes.

Keating becomes the third player in 67’s franchise history to win the award, following Dan Tessier in 1999-2000 and Don McLaren, who was the inaugural recipient back in 1983-84.

2020 OHL Awards announcements continue on Thursday when the OHL recognizes its Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy recipient as the League’s leading scorer.

So proud and happy for this man @AustenKeating . Well deserved honor. You will be in the heart and memory of the @Ottawa67sHockey forever. #proud #underrated #workhorse #details #energy

— André Tourigny (@BearTourigny) May 6, 2020