NEWS

The OJHL announced today that North York Rangers forward Corey Kalk (photo credit - Tim Bates/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for December after recording 20 points in only nine games played during the month.

The 18-year old has helped the Rangers jump into contention for the South Division crown this season recording 7 goals and 13 assists, including nine power play points which were tops in the entire OJHL throughout December. He would also score a key overtime-winning goal versus St. Michael’s, with whom they are battling for top spot in the Division. After being shutout of the scoring on December 1, Kalk would go on an eight game point scoring streak that would see him notch multiple points in every game, including three points during four of the contests. Suiting up for the OJHL South Division All-Stars at the 2012 Central Canada Cup in Wellington, Ontario, Kalk led his team in scoring with four goals in three games played. He currently sits third in the overall OJHL scoring race with 64 points and earlier this season, committed to Dartmouth University Big Green, NCAA Division I program, for 2015.

“It is an honour to be recognized as the Player-of-the-Month,” said Kalk upon hearing of the award, “but hockey is a team game and this accomplishment could not have happened without my teammates. We are lucky to have a great group of guys at North York and a coaching staff that gives us a lot of confidence on the ice.”

Kalk also looked ahead to the OJHL regular season stretch drive, “Our team’s goal is to have a strong finish to the season, continue to improve defensively and in our own end, and prepare for the playoffs. Contributing to the team’s success in the playoffs and challenging for a division crown is the focus. If we can do that then I will feel the season has been a success.”

“It is no secret that Corey Kalk is a huge part of this North York team,” said Rangers head coach John Dean. “His offensive skills and vision with the puck are second to none. However, being around Corey for the past two years, it is also important to note that his drive and commitment to get better is astounding. It is rare to find such passion and intensity in such a talented kid. It is his passion for the game and to learn that I really think is going to pay dividends as he continues to move up the ranks throughout his career. North York is extremely proud of the way Corey has represented the organization this season both on and off the ice.”

Tyler Gjurich of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, the November Player-of-the-Month, was runner-up to Kalk as the OJHL South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month. Gjurich tied for the league-lead in December with 10 goals, while recording 17 points in only eight games played.
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Born on August 10, 1994, the native of Thornhill, Ontario began playing hockey between the age of two and three, although would initially play competitive soccer prior to hockey as Kalk’s grandfather had been an elite-level professional soccer player in South Africa. Growing up, he would play soccer and rugby, but hockey would ultimately become his first sport by the time he reached the midget ranks.

Attending King City Secondary School and then Country Day School, Kalk achieved success in all his athletic endeavours, twice being named the Athlete of the Week by the King City Weekly Sentinel in 2010 and 2012.

The speedy forward, already with people questioning his future due to his smallish stature, also faced some adversity when hit with a serious injury as a minor bantam. Kalk would miss the 2007-08 season with a broken ankle, but would return as strong as ever, and ready to prove himself to the naysayers the following year, joining the Toronto Red Wings Bantam ‘AAA’ program. He would then join the Don Mills Flyers for his minor midget season and finish out his minor hockey career with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens organization in 2010-11. During that time, Kalk would also win a silver medal, recording three goals and eight points, as a member of Team Canada Red (17-and-under category) at the 2009 World Jewish Hockey Tournament in Metulla, Israel.

With his education instilled as a number one priority, ahead of hockey, since a very young age, Kalk entered his first season of junior hockey with the North York Rangers last season. Once again he was bitten by the injury bug, suffering an early season wrist injury that would see him miss the first part of the schedule, however, he again returned more determined than ever and would record 14 goals and 31 points in 42 regular season games played for the Rangers, finishing fifth in goals and sixth in overall scoring on the club.

Kalk would spend the off-season working to improve his game and conditioning, and entered this season as one of the Rangers’ leaders on-and-off the ice. Reunited with longtime soccer teammate John Carpino, who joined North York from the now-defunct Vaughan Vipers this season, the two have combined to become one of the most dangerous combinations in the OJHL, sitting third and fourth respectively in the overall scoring race. Kalk would also receive an invite to Team Canada East’s Final Selection camp and has been on an absolute tear ever since being cut from the squad, looking to carry his team to bigger and better things in 2013.