With all eyes on the conference finals in the Ontario Jr.B Lacrosse League, the OJBLL took time to recognize their stars from the regular season as they announced their award winners for the 2015 season Monday morning.
“Several awards were very close with only a point or two separating the winner from the runner-up,” said League Commissioner Dave Vernon.
The following is the 2015 OJBLL Award Winners:
Most Valuable Player:
East: Fred Hartley—Gloucester Griffins:
For the second straight season, Fred Hartley was named the Most Valuable Player in the OJBLL East. Hartley finished the season fifth in overall league scoring with 105 points, fourth in goals with 48 and fifth in assists with 57. The Ottawa, ON product finishes his OJBLL career with 172 goals, 191 assists for 363 points over 92 games with the Gloucester Griffins.
West: Corey Lucier—Wallaceburg Red Devil
If the OJBLL had an award for best breakout performance, Lucier could possibly add that to his trophy cabinet as well. The Wallaceburg, ON native finished sixth in scoring with 90 points(40 G, 50 A), more than double than his 41 in 2014. The righty was the heart and soul of the 9-10-1 Red Devils, netting nearly 40 more points than the second leading scorer on Wallaceberg, Kyle Dawson with 52.
Rookie of the Year:
East: Skylar Thomas—Akwesasne Indians
From start to finish, Akwesasne’s Skylar Thomas was arguably one of the most impressive players in all of Jr. B lacrosse, and it was just his first season in the league. Thomas played all but two games while tallying 22 goals and 56 points for 78 points, good enough for ninth in league scoring. The shifty lefty has continued his outstanding rookie campaign through the playoffs, tallying 14 goals, 10 assists for 24 points in just six games.
West: Kurtis Woodland—Elora Mohawks
Elora Mohawk sharpshooter Kurtis Woodland worked his way into the conversation for West MVP after just his first season in the league. Woodland finished fourth in West Conference scoring with 73 points, while his 40 goals was good enough for sixth in goals in the entire league. The Fergus, ON native’s 73 points was the best among all Mohawks, 21 more points than the second team leading scorer Spear Cole (52).
Most Valuable Defensive Player:
East: Ben Pitchforth—Green Gaels
Captain Ben Pitchforth was the heart and soul of a strong defensive Green Gaels squad and was awarded for his duties by being named the most outstanding defender in the East. In his fourth and final season with the Green Gaels, the Courtice, ON native helped lead a young Gaels team to a 18-2 record, good enough to finish first in the East. Pitchforth was one of the league’s most well rounded defenders, used smarts, strength, speed, toughness and aggressiveness to be a force on the defensive side of the floor. Unfortunately for Pitchforth, his junior career came to an end earlier than he would have liked. The Green Gaels were knocked out in Game 5 of the second round against the Oakville Buzz. Luckily for Pitchforth, his lacrosse career is far from over. With his close relationship with his coach Brad MacArthur, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in a Barrie Blizzards uniform next season in CLax.
West: Kessler Doolittle—Six Nations Rebels
Fourth year veteran Kessler Doolittle helped lead the Six Nations Rebels defensive unit to a league best 5.70 goals against average. The big lefty defender dominated on the floor in his own end, while chipping in with 13 points in 15 games in transition. Doolittle adds a Defensive MVP to his already impressive resume of three Founder Cup Championships.
Most Sportsmanlike Player
East: Fred Hartley—Gloucester Griffins
Fred Hartley wasn’t done collecting hardware after the East MVP as he was voted Most Sportsmanlike Player of the East. Hartley took just one lone trip to the penalty box this season while playing a strong off-ball style of lacrosse. In his five years in the league, the two-time MVP has just tallied 18 minutes in penalties. This is the second straight season a Gloucester Griffin has nabbed the Most Sportsmanlike player with Aaron Foster winning it in 2014.
West: Dylan Riley—Windsor Clippers
Like Hartley, Dylan Riley managed just to earn two penalty minutes in 2015. The big body lefty at six-foot-four, 190 lbs has just six PIMs in 39 games played over two years. The 19-year-old also buried 17 goals, 11 assists for 28 points in 12 games played with his hometown Windsor Clippers squad.
Coaching Staff of the Year:
East: Oakville Buzz
After starting the season 2-5, the Buzz turned the season around on an impressive 11-4 run finishing with a 12-8 record, good for fifth in the conference. Head coach Mike Bentivegna and assistants Cam Watts, Ben Neeb and Nate Reid helped keep their young team focused and driven until many of their key players returned north for the summer from their schools in the U.S. The Buzz continued to roll into playoffs, sweeping the Nepean Knights in three games. They weren’t done there as they knocked off the first place Green Gaels in five games to advance to the conference final against Akwesasne. Oakville continue to look for their first Founders Cup title since 2006, back when Mike Bentivegna hoisted the trophy as a player.
West: Guelph Regals
After going 1-17-2 in 2014, coaches Wayne Burke and Brady Campbell helped aid the Guelph Regals to a 10-9-1 record and a sixth place spot in the West. The Regals also returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
