NEWS

The OJHL announced today that Wellington Dukes’ netminder and Team Canada East star Jordan Ruby (photo credit - The Wellington Dukes) has been named the Player-of-the-Month after marching through the month of December with a record of 6-0-1.

Starting seven games during the month, the 19-year old posted a 1.82 goals against average and a .947 save percentage. His totals included a 2-0 shutout on December 11 over Trenton, while allowing only four goals in five of his seven games played. The highlight of the month for the Dukes star was a 40 save 2-1 victory over division rival Cobourg, just days after losing in overtime. Ruby’s stellar performance has allowed Wellington earn 13 of a possible 14 points and remain in first place in the East Division, while continuing to ranked #4 in the CJHL’s Top 20 rankings.

When learning of yet another honour, Ruby would say, “Whenever somebody wins player of the month, they are doing something right. December was a key month for us (the Dukes) and I think it is safe to say that December is one of the toughest months of the year. One's mind is usually thinking about all the bells and whistles that Christmas brings.” He continued by discussing his busy schedule outside of hockey, “For myself, I was looking forward to the break. I was physically and mentally tired from both hockey and school. I'm currently full-time in college and I was writing 5 exams in December at the time. I was pleased to find out that I received an 82% average. My team has been behind me all throughout the season. The forwards are scoring and the defence are amazing, considering we have two 16 and one 17-year old. Right now our team is off to a solid start, and I don't see us letting off for a second.”

Ruby’s coach, Marty Abrams, discussed his stat netminder, “Jordan has established himself as one of the elite goaltenders across the country playing in the CJHL. He gives us a chance to win every night and as a Coach, that’s all I can ask for. He is also one of the hardest working members of the Dukes.”
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Jordan Ruby was born on February 22, 1991 in the Town of Tavistock, Ontario and would play his minor hockey in the Waterloo Minor Hockey Association system. During his time in Waterloo, the up-and-coming star would lead his club’s to three Alliance Hockey championships, earning a spot in the All-Ontario championships twice, finishing 4th in major bantam and losing to the eventual champion Mississauga Ice Dogs in the quarter-final of minor midget. Ruby would combine with Mike Latta to win his minor bantam MVP award and would lead this team in goals against average numerous times throughout his minor hockey career; a sign of things to come.

Following minor midget, the well recruited Ruby would make the jump to junior hockey, joining the well reputed Stratford Cullitons organization for the 2007-08 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season. He would spend two seasons in Stratford, improving his goals against average by nearly half a goal/game and his save percentage to over .900%

With scouts beginning to take notice, the 6’1”, 180 lbs. goaltender made the jump to Junior ‘A,’ going from one winning organization to another as Ruby joined the perennial powerhouse Wellington Dukes squad for the 2009-10 season. Immediately showing his skill and knowledge of the position, he would be named the CCHL’s East Division Player-of-the-Month for September, during his first month in the league. With an intense desire to win, he would continue his winning ways throughout the season, leading all netminders with a 2.18 goals against average and .932 save percentage, while earning a berth on the CCHL All-Star Team for the Battle of Ontario.

Ruby’s play would earn a spot on Team Canada East for the 2009 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge held in Summerside, PEI, continuing on a tradition that has seen at least one member of the Wellington Dukes participate in the tournament during every year of its existence. Ruby would play two games for Canada East, earning a 1-1 record, including a 7-5 victory over Belarus, during a disappointing 4th place finish following a 6-2 loss to Russia in the bronze medal game.

Incredibly, the Dukes last line of defence would improve on his amazing totals from 2009-10 to start the new season and once again was named a member of Team Canada East for the 2010 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge held in Penticton, B.C. This time however, Ruby would play all five games, leading Canada East to a silver medal performance while earning Tournament All-Star honours for his efforts.

The 2010-11 season has seen Ruby lead his club to the top of both the OJHL and CJHL rankings, currently sitting first in the OJHL East Division and ranked #4 in the country as part of the CJHL Weekly Top 20 rankings. Ruby currently leads all OJHL netminders with a miniscule 1.78 goals against average and a staggering .944 save percentage, which combined with a 17-1-4 record and three shutouts, makes the goalie tops in his class.