2014-15 Minor Midget Player of the Year Awards

Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the seven recipients of Minor Hockey Player of the Year Awards for players representing the four Ontario Hockey Federation Member Partners including the ALLIANCE, Greater Toronto Hockey League, Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and both the Ontario Minor Hockey Association's ETA and SCTA regions, along with Hockey Northwestern Ontario and the Ontario East Minor Hockey League.

Four of the seven award winners are currently competing at the 2015 OHL Cup and include Nick Suzuki of the London Jr. Knights named ALLIANCE Player of the Year, Ryan McLeod of the Toronto Marlboros named GTHL Player of the Year, Kyle Auger of the Thunder Bay Kings named HNO Player of the Year, and Brady Gilmour of the Quinte Red Devils named OMHA ETA Player of the Year. Additional award recipients include Cayse Ton of the New Liskeard Cubs named NOHA Player of the Year, Gabriel Vilardi of CIH Academy named OEMHL Player of the Year, and Liam Stevens of the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs named OMHA SCTA Player of the Year.

"Congratulations to all seven award winners and to their families, coaches, and teammates for a tremendous hockey season," said Adam Dennis, the OHL's Director of Recruitment, who presented the awards on Thursday night. "The OHL is proud to recognize the achievements of these great players and wish them the best of luck as they prepare for the next step in their hockey and academic careers."

Six of the seven players are forwards with four who were members of Team Ontario capturing gold at the 2015 Canada Winter Games including McLeod who led all award winners with 81 points including 30 goals and 51 assists in 74 games played with the GTHL champion Marlies. Gold medal winners also include Suzuki who recorded 68 points in 31 games with the Knights scoring an even 34 goals and 34 assists, Vilardi who tallied 39 points with 18 goals and 21 assists in 21 games played, and Gilmour who recorded 61 points in 36 games for the OMHA champion Red Devils netting 28 goals and 33 assists. Ton's stat line includes 63 points with 33 goals and 30 assists in 36 games for the Cubs, while Stevens collected 51 points in 34 games scoring 29 goals and 22 assists for the Jr. Bulldogs. Auger represents the only defenceman in the group and netted 15 goals and 33 assists for 38 points in 48 games played for the Kings.

The awards were presented at the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament Banquet for the fifth straight year recognizing the achievements of the top minor midget aged players from across Ontario. The awards are presented annually to honour the minor midget players who best exemplify outstanding ability and the qualities of sportsmanship and leadership as voted by the minor hockey coaches, managers and organizations of each respective league.

ALLIANCE Player of the Year:

2015 - Nick Suzuki, London Jr. Knights

GTHL Player of the Year:

2015 - Ryan McLeod, Toronto Marlboros

HNO Player of the Year:

2015 - Kyle Auger, Thunder Bay Kings

NOHA Player of the Year:

2015 - Cayse Ton, New Liskeard Cubs

OEMHL Player of the Year:

2015 - Gabriel Vilardi, CIH Academy

OMHA ETA Player of the Year:

2015 - Brady Gilmour, Quinte Red Devils

OMHA SCTA Player of the Year:

2015 - Liam Stevens, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs