NEWS

Former OJHLers Jamie Phillips, Cody Freeman & Matt O'Connor swept the NCAA Ice Hockey 3 Stars of the Week with their recent performances.

NCAA 1st Star
Jamie Phillips (Michigan Tech) - Toronto Jr. Canadiens, 2011/12
(pictured left - photo credit:  Michigan Tech Athletics)
The Caledon, Ontario native joined the Jr. Canadiens late in the 2011-12 season and helped propel them into the second round of the playoffs, while earning OHA All-Prospect Team honours following the season. That June, Phillips would be one of three OJHL players selected in the 2012 NHL Draft that was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as he was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the 7th round, 190th overall.

NCAA 2nd Star
Cody Freeman (Canisius College) - Markham Waxers, 2009/10
(pictured middle - photo credit:  Tom Wolf Imaging)
The Markham, Ontario native would get his junior start with the CCHL's Nepean Raiders, before a mid-season trade in 2009-10 saw him join his hometown Waxers.  In 14 regular season contests to finish the year, Freeman recorded seven points, before going pointless in four post-season contests.  After one season in the NAHL, Freeman joined Canisius College and is in his senior year at the school.

NCAA 3rd Star
Matt O'Connor (Boston University) - Upper Canada (Toronto) Patriots/Burlington Cougars, 2008-10
(pictured right - photo credit:  Steve McLaughlin/BU Athletics)
The Toronto, Ontario native joined the OJHL as a 16-year old member of the then Upper Canada Hockey Club in 2008-09, posting respectable numbers despite playing on one of the leagues poorer clubs.  The following year, O'Connor would improve on his numbers and was moved to the first place Burlington Cougars at the trade deadline to solidify their netminding for the playoff drive, ultimately falling to the eventual CCHL champion Newmarket Hurricanes in the semi-final.  Following two seasons with Youngstown in the USHL, O'Connor made the jump to NCAA Division I hockey this season as a freshman with the Terriers.

Congratulations to all three on the achievement!

Below is the official press release from the NCAA website (www.ncaa.com):

Third Star -- Matt O’Connor, Boston University
O’Connor backstopped the Terriers this past weekend to an impressive sweep of Michigan and Michigan State as part of the Hockey East/Big Ten Challenge. In the Friday night contest against the Spartans, O’Connor had 29 saves in registering his first career shutout. Against the Wolverines, the junior from Toronto tallied 38 saves while only allowing two goals in the 3-2 victory. For the weekend he had a .971 save percentage and a 1.00 goals against average. The 3-0-0 Terriers play a home and home series against Providence this weekend.

Second Star -- Cody Freeman, Canisius
Freeman registered three goals, including both game-winners, and an assist in a weekend sweep of American International. In the first game, the Golden Griffins and the Yellow Jackets were scoreless after two periods before pulling away for a 3-1 win which was highlighted by Freeman’s game-winner. In the Saturday night rematch, Freeman assisted on the first goal and then scored the second and third -- both in the third period -- in the 4-2 win. On the weekend, he had nine shots on goal and finished with a plus-2 rating. On the season, Freeman has a team-leading seven points with three goals and four assists.

AthleticsFirst Star -- Jamie Phillips, Michigan Tech
Phillips, a junior from Caldeonia, Ontario, was outstanding in net for Michigan Tech all weekend as they posted a road sweep of nationally-ranked Ferris State. In the Friday night series opener, Phillips had 33 saves in a 1-0 shutout of the Bulldogs, the second of his career. In the Saturday night series finale, the Winnipeg Jets draft pick notched 34 saves, while allowing only one goal in the 2-1 victory. For the weekend he finished with a 0.50 goals against average and a .985 save percentage. On the season, he is 4-0 in net with a .954 save percentage and a 1.25 goals against average. He is one of only six goalies in the nation with at least four wins and no losses.