2024 U16 AAA Player of the Year Awards

Toronto, Ont. – With the 2024 OHL Cup Championship Final underway, the Ontario Hockey League has announced the seven recipients of 2024 U16 AAA Player of the Year Awards for players representing the four Ontario Hockey Federation Member Partners including the ALLIANCE, Greater Toronto Hockey League, Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and both the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s East and West regions, along with Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Northwestern Ontario.

“Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s awards and thank you to the families, coaches, and teammates for their tremendous support of these remarkable players over the course of the season and throughout their minor hockey careers,” said Brodie Barrick, the OHL’s Director of Recruitment and Player Services.

“The OHL continues to recognize all the hard work, dedication, and extraordinary accomplishments from across Ontario. We thank all players for another great season and wish them the very best of luck in their hockey and academic careers.”

The awards are presented annually to honour the U16 AAA players who best exemplify outstanding ability and the qualities of sportsmanship and leadership as selected by OHL Central Scouting and a panel of Ontario Hockey League general managers.

 

ALLIANCE U16 AAA Player of the Year – Parker Vaughan (Elgin-Middlesex Canucks)
Parker Vaughan earns this year’s honours in the ALLIANCE, leading the U16 AAA division with 23 goals and 49 points as captain of the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks. The St. Thomas, Ont. native led the Canucks to the Championship Final of the Wendy Dufton Tournament and helped them secure a bid in the OHL Cup after reaching the ALLIANCE Championship Final.

Past Winners:
2023 – Ryan Roobroeck, London Jr. Knights
2022 – Lucas Karmiris, Brantford 99ers
2020 – Bryce McConnell-Barker, London Jr. Knights
2019 – Deni Goure, Chatham-Kent Cyclones
2018 – Matthew Maggio, Sun County Panthers
2017 – Ryan Suzuki, London Jr. Knights
2016 – Owen Lalonde, Windsor Jr. Spitfires
2015 – Nick Suzuki, London Jr. Knights
2014 – Anthony Salinitri, Windsor Jr. Spitfires
2013 – Travis Konecny, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs
2012 – Jared McCann, London Jr. Knights Gold
2011 – Bo Horvat, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs

 

GTHL U16 AAA Player of the Year – Adam Valentini (Toronto Marlboros)
Toronto Marlboros forward Adam Valentini is this year’s GTHL U16 AAA Player of the Year, compiling 31 goals, 36 assists and 67 points over 32 regular season games for the Marlies, who finished 26-7-3. Valentini led both the Toronto Titans Early Bird Tournament as well as the Whitby International Silver Stick Tournament in scoring.

Past Winners:
2023 – William Moore, Toronto Marlboros
2022 – Malcolm Spence, Mississauga Senators
2020 – Pano Fimis, Toronto Jr. Canadiens
2019 – Shane Wright, Don Mills Flyers
2018 – Jamie Drysdale, Toronto Marlboros
2017 – Nick Porco, Vaughan Kings
2016 – Ryan Merkley, Toronto Jr. Canadiens
2015 – Ryan McLeod, Toronto Marlboros
2014 – Adam Mascherin, Vaughan Kings
2013 – Dylan Strome, Toronto Marlboros
2012 – Connor McDavid, Toronto Marlboros
2011 – Nick Ritchie, Toronto Marlboros

 

HEO U16 AAA Player of the Year – Maximus Crete (Upper Canada Cyclones)
Upper Canada Cyclones forward Maximus Crete is this year’s HEO U16 AAA Player of the Year, leading the league with 66 points (28-38–66) in 29 games. Crete captained the Cyclones, playing an integral role in their wild card entry triumph into the OHL Cup with a win over the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.

Past Winners:
2023 – Quinn Beauchesne, Nepean Raiders
2022 – Cole Beaudoin, Nepean Raiders
2020 – Cedrick Guindon, Rockland Nationals
2019 – Mason McTavish, Pembroke Lumber Kings
2018 – Josh Barnes, Cornwall Colts
2017 – Alexandre Hogue, Cumberland Grads
2016 – Paul Larabie, Nepean Raiders
2015 – Gabriel Vilardi, CIH Academy
2014 – William Bitten, Ottawa Jr. 67’s
2013 – Andrew Peski, Ottawa Jr. 67’s
2012 – Andrew Abou-Assaly, Ottawa Jr. 67’s
2011 – Nicholas Baptiste, Ottawa Senators

 

HNO U16 AAA Player of the Year – Brady Cates (Thunder Bay Kings)
Thunder Bay Kings goaltender Brady Cates is this year’s HNO U16 AAA Player of the Year. Cates was the backbone of the Kings this past season, keeping them in games throughout the year in GTHL league play as well as the Whitby International Silver Stick and OHL Cup Showcase.

Past Winners:
2023 – Carter Poddubny, Thunder Bay Kings
2020 – Brodie McLeod, Thunder Bay Kings
2019 – Jack Michaelis, Thunder Bay Kings
2018 – Michael Stubbs, Thunder Bay Kings
2017 – Christian Cicigoi, Thunder Bay Kings
2016 – Quintin Loon-Stewardson, Thunder Bay Kings
2015 – Kyle Auger, Thunder Bay Kings
2014 – Brad Belisle, Thunder Bay Kings
2013 – Zach Grzelewski, Thunder Bay Kings
2012 – Bryce Martyn, Thunder Bay Kings
2011 – Nolan Nicholas, Thunder Bay Kings

 

NOHA U16 AAA Player of the Year – Mason Walker (Sudbury Wolves U16)
Mason Walker collected 63 points in 36 GNML regular season games for the Sudbury Wolves U16’s to be named the NOHA U16 AAA Player of the Year. The Sudbury, Ont. native also represented Team NOHA at the 2024 OHL Cup.

Past Winners:
2023 – Hudson Chitaroni, Soo Jr. Greyhounds
2022 – Nolan Newton, Sudbury Nickel Capitals
2020 – Connor Toms, Soo Jr. Greyhounds
2019 – Chase Stillman, Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves
2018 – Pacey Schlueting, North Bay Trappers
2017 – Camaryn Baber, Soo Midget Greyhounds
2016 – Damien Giroux, Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves
2015 – Cayse Ton, New Liskeard Cubs
2014 – Zach Dorval, Soo Thunder
2013 – Blake Speers, Soo Thunder
2012 – Michael Amadio, Sault Ste. Marie North Stars
2011 – Ryan Kujawinski, Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves

 

OMHA East U16 AAA Player of the Year – Maddox Dagenais (Quinte Red Devils)
Quinte Red Devils forward Maddox Dagenais is this year’s OMHA East U16 AAA Player of the Year, racking up 42 goals, 39 assists and 81 points in 35 regular season contests. He followed-up his league-leading regular season totals with an additional 17 points over 10 playoff games.

Past Winners:
2023 – Owen Griffin, York-Simcoe Express
2022 – Ethan Procyszyn, North Central Predators
2020 – Donovan McCoy, Quinte Red Devils
2019 – Brenden Sirizzotti, Whitby Wildcats
2018 – Quinton Byfield, York Simcoe Express
2017 – Alex Newhook, York Simcoe Express
2016 – Aidan Dudas, North Central Predators
2015 – Brady Gilmour, Quinte Red Devils
2014 – Chris Paquette, Greater Kingston Jr Frontenacs

 

OMHA West U16 AAA Player of the Year – Ethan Belchetz (Oakville Rangers)
Oakville Rangers forward Ethan Belchetz is the OMHA West U16 AAA Player of the Year, leading the entire OMHA with 46 goals and 84 points in just 34 games. Belchetz helped lead the Rangers to a 31-1 regular season record as well as Championship Final appearances in the Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic and the OHL Cup.

Past Winners:
2023 – Matthew Schaefer, Halton Hurricanes
2022 – Luca Testa, Niagara North Stars
2020 – Sam Alfano, Southern Tier Admirals
2019 – Lawson Sherk, Halton Hurricanes
2018 – Cameron Tolnai, Oakville Rangers
2017 – Matthew Dunsmoor, Guelph Jr. Gryphons
2016 – Adam McMaster, Niagara North Stars
2015 – Liam Stevens, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
2014 – Rylee St Onge, Niagara North Stars

*prior to 2014 there was a single OMHA Player of the Year award recipient

Past OMHA Players of the Year:
2013 – Matt Spencer, Oakville Rangers*
2012 – Nik Coric, York Simcoe Express*
2011 – Alex Yuill, Quinte Red Devils*

 

For more information please visit www.ohlcup.ca.