NEWS

 The OJHL announced today that Newmarket Hurricanes netminder Matthew Wintjes has been named the inaugural Gongshow Gear Goaltender-of-the-Month after posting a 6-1-1 record and a 1.87 goals against average while leading the club to an early first place lead in the North Division.

The OJHL also announced that it has renewed its partnership with Gongshow Hockey, Inc. for another season as the Official Lifestyle Hockey Apparel of the OJHL, while also sponsoring the OJHL Player-of-the-Month Awards and supplying all three winners each month with a Gongshow Gear apparel package.

The four-year OJHL veteran started eight of the nine Hurricanes games in September, posting a 6-1-1 record, including a league-high two shutouts and the fourth best save percentage at .919. Highlights of the month were Wintjes’ two shutout performances, both coming on the road, in which he was named the game’s 2nd star on September 13 with an 18 save victory over division rival Stouffville and a 21 save performance against Wellington on September 21.

Wintjes was honoured, when informed of his second OJHL Player-of-the-Month award, “I would like to thank the OJHL for selecting me as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month. Winning an award such as this early in the season is a great honour and confidence builder for me and my teammates. My coaches have always preached about individual success coming from team success and I'm a firm believer in that. I look forward to building on our achievements individually and as a team throughout the season and playoffs.”

Hurricanes General Manager Maurice Catenacci recognized the significance of his starting netminder on the club’s early season success, “The Newmarket Hurricanes would like to congratulate Matt Wintjes on his selection as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month. We thank the OJHL for acknowledging Matt and recognizing his efforts and accomplishments over the past month. Matt has been the backbone of our team early in the season, giving stability and confidence to a younger core of Hurricanes players. The Hurricanes would also like to wish Matt continued success in his development and quest as an elite goaltender. We're all extremely proud of Matty who leads by example and is most deserving of this award.”

Parker Gahagen of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres was runner-up to Wintjes as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month. Gahagen posted a 6-1-0 record on the month with one shutout, a 2.71 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
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Born on June 7, 1993 in Holland Landing, Ontario, Matthew Wintjes started playing ‘AAA’ hockey as a member of the prestigious Markham Waxers organization at the age of 10. Over the next six years, the netminder would bounce between organizations, playing in Markham and Richmond Hill, before finally making his hometown ‘AAA’ club, the York-Simcoe Express, in 2008-09.

Playing on the powerful Minor Midget ‘AAA’ Express allowed Wintjes the opportunity to play in front of an endless supply of scouts throughout his draft year. After losing to perennial contender, the Toronto Marlies, in the semi-final of the 2009 OHL Cup, 11 members of the York-Simcoe Express club would be selected in that summer’s OHL Priority Selection Draft. That list included Wintjes, who would be selected in the 13th round, 253rd overall by the Kingston Frontenacs. The successful season also saw him earn a spot at the OMHA’s Under-17 Final Camp.

Facing a cross-road in his career, Wintjes went through the decision-making process every young, aspiring hockey player must make during his teen years, the OHL or NCAA. When previously asked about where he saw his future in hockey taking him, Wintjes responded, “I see hockey assisting me to earn an excellent education. I will continue to work to the best of my abilities and play at the highest level of hockey that I am capable of.” Choosing to remain NCAA eligible, the 5’11” 170 lbs goalie accepted an invitation from former Newmarket head coach Brian Perrin and entered the junior ranks as a member of the Hurricanes.

Wintjes had spent the large majority of his hockey career as the starter on any team he played for, but now entered Junior ‘A’ as number two on the ‘Canes depth chart; which can often be a difficult transition for any young netminder to make. The rookie would impress both teammates and coaches alike by posting an 11-5-1-1 record in 19 games played, including one shutout, with a 2.62 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. Although only filling-in for teammate Jimmy Sarjeant sporadically during the club’s CCHL championship and Buckland Cup Final playoff run, Wintjes basked in the excitement of the playoff atmosphere and gained considerable experience along the way.

The following year, with Sarjeant injured, Wintjes took over for a good portion of the season, earning November OJHL Player-of-the-Month honours, while finishing the year with a 24-3-2 record, including two shutouts, a 2.32 goals against average and a .916 save percentage in leading the Hurricanes to a regular season title. With scouts beginning to take notice of the up-and-coming star, he would be named a North-West Conference 1st Team All-Prospect.

Last season, Wintjes again shared netminding duties, this time with newcomer Jason Pucciarelli. The veteran Hurricane would continue to improve upon his totals, posting a 21-3-1 record with the league’s second-best goals against average of 2.09, as well as a .914 save percentage. Once again the netminder would receive league accolades, being named an OJHL 1st Team All-Star as the ‘Canes once again finished near the top of the league standings.

About Gongshow Hockey, Inc.
In late 2002, three teammates from the Central Junior ‘A’ Hockey League celebrated a big win at a local Ottawa pub called Fathers and Sons. A few cold ones later, and inspired by the distinct lifestyle hockey players lived, they had an idea to make some buckets with Gongshow Hockey stitched on the front for their hockey buddies to rock around town.

Slowly but surely, word began to spread through tight-knit hockey circles about a brand that accurately represented what hockey players were all about. Soon, the lads found themselves teamed up with a roster of players united through their love and passion for the hockey lifestyle that they lived.

Today, the GSH boys feel excited and privileged to be part of such a powerful team that shares the goal of enjoying and spreading the Gongshow Lifestyle to hockey players all around the world…

Be sure to visit this link, https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/gongshow-saucer-king/id556090875?mt=8, and download the number one free game app on the web...Gongshow Saucer King!