OJHL ANNOUNCES ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Robert Polesello of the Vaughan Vipers (photo credit - Izak Westgate/HHOF) has been named the 2010-11 winner of Rookie-of-the-Year.
The 16-year old freshman was a significant contributor for the South Division regular season champion Vipers, finishing fifth on the club in scoring with 17 goals, 30 assists and 47 points. He accomplished this while only playing in 37 games, for an equally impressive 1.27 points/game average.
Polesello finished the 2009-10 season as one of the most sought-after minor midget prospects, but made the decision to join the OJHL after accepting a full scholarship to attend Boston University beginning in 2012-13. The lightning quick centre had the start of his rookie season delayed after fracturing his elbow during a pre-season game, but did not miss a beat once he returned, recording a hat trick in only his fifth game of junior hockey.
Twice during the season, the native of Bolton, Ontario, would miss extended periods of time to represent his country at international events. In early November, Polesello was selected as the youngest member of Team Canada East, helping his team win a silver medal at the 2010 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge held in Penticton, B.C. Then, in late December he was selected to play for Team Ontario, on a team comprised almost exclusively of OHL players, at the World Under-17 Challenge held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Polesello would record an all-important assist during the gold medal game as Ontario defeated the U.S. 5-3 to capture the gold medal.
A key member of the Vipers power play, he recorded five power play goals and 16 power play points, while also chipping in with one shorthanded goal and three game-winners. Eleven times over the course of the season, Polesello would record a multi-point game, including six, three point outings and a single four point performance. Along with being named Rookie-of-the-Year, Polesello was also named a South-East Conference 1st Team All-Prospect.
Nelson Armstrong of the Peterborough Stars was runner-up in the OJHL award balloting to Polesello. The 17-year old led all defencemen on his club with 11 goals, sixth best in the entire OJHL, and 37 points, tenth best in the league. Also named a South-East Conference 1st Team All-Prospect, Armstrong accepted an NCAA scholarship this season and will be attending St. Lawrence University in the fall.
