Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Steven Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting is the winner of the Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL's Scholastic Player of the Year. Derrick Bagshaw of the Erie Otters is the winner of the Roger Neilson Memorial Award as the OHL's Academic College/University Player of the year. Andrew Shorkey of the Owen Sound Attack is the winner of the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award as the OHL's Academic High School Player of the Year.
Bobby Smith Trophy
Each year the Bobby Smith Trophy is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, former Ottawa 67's star who exhibited a standard of excellence in both of these areas.
Previous winners of the Bobby Smith Trophy include Dave Gagner, Craig Billington, Nathan LaFayette, Ethan Moreau and Brad Boyes. Danny Battachio of the Ottawa 67's was last year's winner of the Bobby Smith Trophy.
Roger Neilson Memorial Award
This award is presented each year to recognize the top post-secondary player in the OHL. This year's winner is Derrick Bagshaw of the Erie Otters. Derrick attended both Gannon and Mercyhurst University in Erie. Derrick maintained a GPA of 3.5+ in his university studies and to date has completed 35 credits and sophomore status. Courses that Derrick has completed include: Accounting, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Marketing and Business and Professional Communication.
The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is named in honour of the Hall of Fame Coach. While coaching the Peterborough Petes 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.
Danny Battachio of the Ottawa 67's won the Roger Nielson Memorial Award in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
Ivan Tennant Memorial Award
This award is given out each year to the top high school student in the OHL. The award is based on the player's average in his best six courses regardless of level of difficulty of the courses. This year's winner is Andrew Shorkey from the Owen Sound Attack. Andrew attended West Hill Secondary School in Owen Sound and took a very academically challenging program of seven Grade 12 University level courses including: English, Algebra, Physics, Biology, Exercise Science, Calculus and French. His overall academic average on his best six courses was 93.83% which is outstanding considering the time required to not only play in the OHL, but also to complete course requirements.
The award given to the Top Academic High School Player is named in honour of Ivan Tennant who spent a lifetime combining hockey and education. He was the Kitchener Rangers' Education Consultant for 20 years and a key figure on the OHL's Education Consultant's Committee.
Previous winners of the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award include Matt Pelech of the Sarnia Sting (2004-05) and Joe Pleckaitis of the Ottawa 67's (2005-06).
OHL All Academic Team for 2006-07
Ryan Gottschalk Barrie Colts
Geoff Killing Belleville Bulls
Cody Hodgson Brampton Battalion
Derrick Bagshaw Erie Otters
Thomas McCollum Guelph Storm
Josh Brittain Kingston Frontenacs
Robert Bortuzzo Kitchener Rangers
Sam Gagner London Knights
Alex Pietrangelo Mississauga IceDogs
David Kolomatis Owen Sound Attack
Brett MacLean Oshawa Generals
Tyler Cuma Ottawa 67's
Jake Laplante Peterborough Petes
Jeremy Smith Plymouth Whalers
Jan Mursak Saginaw Spirit
Steven Stamkos Sarnia Sting
Nick Foligno Sudbury Wolves
Chris MacKinnon Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Michael McGurk Toronto St. Michaels Majors
John Kurtz Windsor Spitfires
