SARNIA - An outstanding regular season reaped its rewards for St. Marys Lincolns’ sniper Seth Griffith here Monday, Feb. 22.
Griffith collected a total of four individual awards, including the Roy Bruhlman Award for Western Conference rookie-of-the-year, at the WOHC awards banquet.
Griffith, who had 43 goals and 78 points in 49 games, was also selected a first-team all-star at right wing. Lincs’ teammate Josh Cornelissen, a 19-year-old defenceman, was named a first-team all-star as well.
Griffith, a London Knights’ draft pick who possesses a wicked shot, also received the Smith Buys Award for the rookie picking up the most points. The 17-year-old Wallaceburg native was named to the conference rookie all-star team as well.
“Seth is a special player and they don’t come along like that too often,” Lincolns’ coach Merlin Malinowski said. “Most players don’t step into this league and score that many goals in their first year.
“It’s been fun to watch him play night after night, and at practice. He amazes you with his great hands and his great shot. And it’s been fun working with him and coaching him because he’s taken a great deal of pride in learning how to play defence in his own zone. He’s really, really worked at it.
“He’s a nice kid to coach; it’s been a pleasure,” he added.
Lincs’ goalie Stephen Heming, 19, who won 14 games, was selected to the WOHC’s second all-star team. Also named to the second all-star team was former St. Marys defenceman Brett Petrie, 20, now a member of the London Nationals.
Other award winners are as follows.
Goalie Ostropolec named top player
Veteran Chatham Maroons’ goalie Mike Ostropolec has been named CHOK player-of-the-year in the Western Conference.
Ostropolec, who just turned 21, has played four years with the Maroons, and helped Chatham finish in third place this season. The Chatham native was also named a first-team all-star.
In 42 starts, Ostropolec posted a record of 27-12-2. He had a 2.99 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage, and two shutouts.
Nationals’ captain Adam McKee picked up the Chester Pegg Memorial Award for ability and sportsmanship. McKee, 20, also accepted the Hugh McLean Award for top scorer in the conference. The slick centre had an even 100 points (35-65) in 48 games to finish second overall in GOJHL scoring. The first team all-star had 12 powerplay goals and seven game winners.
The Phibbs Inc. Award for top WOHC defenceman went to LaSalle Vipers’ David Sharpe. The 20-year-old Windsor native had 21 goals, including 12 on powerplays, and 68 points in 49 games to finish third in Vipers’ team scoring. He was also named a first-team all-star.
Tanner Ferguson, of Sarnia Legionnaires, received the Phibbs Inc. Award for rookie defenceman in the conference. The 16-year-old Watford resident had two goals and 16 points in 49 games.
Andrew McCombe was named top defensive forward. The Strathroy Rockets’ 20-year-old centre and captain clicked for 29 goals and 50 points in 49 games. McCombe hails from London.
Bench boss Mike Bondy and his fellow Strathroy coaches picked up the Pete’s Sports Award for top coaching staff in the WOHC. They guided Rockets to a strong 36-13-1 record, good for 73 points and second place.
The Nationals, meanwhile, took home the Stan Moore Trophy for first place in the Western Conference. They had a 37-10-3 record and 77 points.
More WOHC all-stars
Chris Rocca, of St. Thomas Stars, was the other first team all-star at left wing. He led Stars in scoring.
Other second team all-stars, in addition to Heming and Petrie, included: defenceman Steve Kruk, of Chatham, centre D.J. Turner, of LaSalle, right winger Chris Bodo, of Strathroy, and left winger Drew Palmer, of LaSalle.
In addition to right winger Griffith and defenceman Ferguson, others selected to the rookie all-star team included: goalie Michael Slaats, of St. Thomas, defenceman Jake Monaghan, of London, centre Alex Avery, of Strathroy, and left winger Aaron Dartch, of London.