FINCH NAMED MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) today announced that Christian Finch (photo credit - Craig Campbell/HHOF) of the Stouffville Spirit has been named the recipient of the OJHL Most Valuable Player Award.
Christian Finch finished the 2011-12 season as the OJHL’s leading scorer with 104 points, 18 points clear of his closest competition and as the only player to reach the century mark this season. His 67 assists were also tops in the league, while his 37 goals were the third best total and his 32 power play assists ranked him second among all power play specialists.
The 6’0”, 186 lbs. native of Unionville, Ontario, has played three seasons as a member of the Spirit, making the switch from defence to forward following his first year with the club. Making a genius of his coach for the move, Finch’s point totals have rapidly increased each season, from 21 to 83 to his league-leading total of 104 points this year. One of the best all-around players in the OJHL, Finch was the catalyst for the league’s third best offensive unit that finished the season with 217 goals for, as well as the third best power play unit at 24.20%.
Consistently a threat every time he touched the ice, Finch would be held pointless only twice this season and would finish the year on a 33 game point scoring streak that dated back to October 23. His totals include 33 multi-point games, of which he notched five points once and four points on seven separate occasions. These efforts would earn Finch back-to-back Gongshow Gear North-West Conference Player-of-the-Month Awards in November and December, as well as 1st Team All-Star honours following the season.
Other highlights of Finch’s remarkable season include confirming an NCAA Division I scholarship during the off-season to Clarkson University where he will play for the Golden Knights beginning next season, and over Christmas he was a key member of the North Division All-Stars that finished as runner-up at the inaugural Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Smiths Falls, Ontario.
The OJHL Most Valuable Player Award is awarded annually to the player adjudged to be the most valuable
player to his club’s success throughout the course of the regular season.
Adrian Ignagni of the St. Michael’s Buzzers has been named runner-up in the OJHL award balloting to Finch.
The 18-year old netminder was one of key contributors to the Buzzers first place finish in the South Division this season, playing in a league-high 42 games, as well as 2,495:41 minutes played. Ignagni finished the season with a 32-6-4 record, including two shutouts, a 2.60 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
The first-ever recipient of the OJHL Fan Favourite Award will be announced prior to game one of the 2012 OJHL Championship Series when all OJHL Award winners will be honoured in a pre-game ceremony.
Below is the complete list of OJHL Award winners for the 2011-12 season:
Most Valuable Player Christian Finch Stouffville Spirit
Top Prospect Devin Shore Whitby Fury
Rookie-of-the-Year Devin Shore Whitby Fury
Baycon Construction Top Defenceman Paul Geiger Stouffville Spirit
Most Gentlemanly Player Dylan Goddard Cobourg Cougars
Coach-of-the-Year Greg Walters Georgetown Raiders
Coach Canada Most Improved Player Darcy Murphy Wellington Dukes
Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Adam Shibuya Toronto Jr. Canadiens
Executive-of-the-Year Ken Burrows Stouffville Spirit
Trainer-of-the-Year Andrew Groombridge Georgetown Raiders
Humanitarian-of-the-Year Matt Dineen Newmarket Hurricanes
Volunteer-of-the-Year Karen Sheppard Pickering Panthers/Whitby Fury
Best Goaltender James Prigione Oakville Blades
Top Scorer Christian Finch Stouffville Spirit
