5 OJHLers NAMED OHA TOP PROSPECTS
(pictured - Milton Icehawks netminder Ben Blacker, who was named an OJHL 2nd Team All-Prospect, was named to the OHA All-Prospect Team for 2013-14 - photo credit: Brian Watts/OJHL Images)
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is pleased to announce the 2013-14 All-Prospect Team as selected by the OHA Awards Committee.
OHA TOP PROSPECT Defenseman – Michael Prapavessis (Toronto Lakeshore Patriots)
Michael Prapavessis was a key member of the OJHL Champion Toronto Lakeshore Patriots this season. A stable defenceman on the back end for his club, the Oakville native provided a calming style of play when his team needed him the most. With 55 points (5 goals, 50 assists) in the regular season, Michael was a unanimous decision for the OJHL Top Defenceman Award. His style of play also earned him OJHL Most Gentlemanly Player. Selected to the OJHL’s 1st Team All-Star as well as the 1st Team All-Prospect lines, Michael was also a member of Team Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge where he scored two assists. Previously drafted by the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, Prapavessis chose to commit to RPI and is ranked 108th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2014 NHL Draft.
OHA TOP PROSPECT Defenseman – TJ Fergus (Milton Icehawks)
TJ Fergus was undoubtedly one of the biggest pieces to the Milton Icehawks success this past season. On the back end he was stellar, consistently playing against the league’s top scorers. Named to the OJHL’s 2nd Team All-Prospects squad, TJ saw plenty of ice time in the second half of the season. Finishing second in scoring for defenceman on his club with 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists), TJ has much to prove moving forward in what will be an exciting hockey career.
OHA TOP PROSPECT Forward – Jake Evans (St. Michaels Buzzers)
Jake Evans of the St. Michael’s Buzzers is a player any team would be happy to have in their system. For the second consecutive season he was named OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect. Coming off a championship 2012-13 season, the Toronto native improved his offensive output this season, leading the Buzzers with 47 assists, while finishing second on the club with 63 points in 49 games played. The playmakers totals tied him for 4th and 19th best in the OJHL overall. Evans was also named a member of Team Canada East at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge for the second consecutive year, while also competing at the Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge as a member of the South-West Conference All-Star Team. The 17-year old is committed to the University of Notre Dame for next season and was ranked 106th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Rankings for the 2014 NHL Draft.
OHA TOP PROSPECT Forward – Connor Murphy (Caledonia Pro Fit Corvairs)
Connor Murphy was perhaps one of the most dynamic players in the entire GOJHL this season. Playing with the Sutherland Cup Champion Caledonia Corvairs, Murphy led the team in almost every category. Netting 32 goals and adding 64 assists this speedy forward proved what it took to be a champion. Murphy was named the Golden Horseshoe Conference Player of the Year as well as the Conference’s Top Scorer. With a 97 per-cent average in his studies, Murphy has committed to the University of Michigan where he’ll play for the famous Wolverines.
OHA TOP PROSPECT Forward – Jacob Hayhurst (Toronto Lakeshore Patriots)
Jacob Hayhurst is a speedy forward playing on the OJHL Champion Toronto Lakeshore Patriots. The native of Mississauga certainly stepped his game up in the last half of the season. He recorded 13 goals and 32 points in 48 regular season games played and recently committed to join Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 2015.
OHA TOP PROSPECT Goaltender – Ben Blacker (Milton Icehawks)
Ben Blacker helped to guide the Milton Icehawks to one of their more successful seasons in recent memory with his solid play in goal for the club this past season. The native of Oakville, Ontario has committed to Western Michigan University for 2015, Ben finished the season with a 16-13-1 record including a .911 save percentage while competing at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge for Team Canada East and the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge for Team Ontario.
All 2013-14 OHA Award Winners will receive their awards at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Friday, June 6th.
