March 5, 2014
Western Mustang Harnden named OUA West men's hockey player of the year
HAMILTON, Ont. – The best in the West of Ontario University Athletics men’s hockey are being recognized as the OUA is pleased to announce the division’s major award winners and all-stars. The honourees are a talented group and feature a mix of upperclassmen and younger players.
The 2013-14 West division most valuable player, presented by Harrow Sports Canada, is Zach Harnden of the Western Mustangs. The third-year forward from Thunder Bay, Ont., posted a career-high 41 points, counting 18 goals and 23 assists. Harnden was a force on special teams for the first-place Mustangs, collecting seven markers with the man advantage and adding a pair of shorthanded goals. Harden has earned the top honour in the West this season after being named the OUA and CIS rookie of the year in 2011-12. He was a second team all-star last season, and earns a first team recognition this season.
Western’s Steven Reese is now a back-to-back winner of the OUA West most sportsmanlike player award. The fourth-year forward from Dorchester, Ont., collected just eight penalty minutes in 27 games for the Mustangs and is widely respected across the OUA for his respectful demeanor on the ice. Reese continued to produce at a high this season as well, finishing fourth on the team with 32 points on 14 goals and 18 assists.
Guelph Gryphon defenceman Ken Peroff has been named the top defenceman in the West division. The Astorville, Ont., native was second among OUA blueliners in points this season. He scored eight goals and added 21 assists. The fourth-year blue liner did a remarkable job quarterbacking the Guelph power play; 13 of his 21 assists came with the man advantage. By being named top defencemen, Peroff becomes the first Gryphon to take home the honour. He is also a first team all-star for the second consecutive season.
Josh Unice of the Western Mustangs is the top goaltender in the OUA West division. The fifth-year backstop from Toledo, Ohio posted a 2.56 goals against average and a .927 save percentage for the first-place Mustangs. Unice received the bulk of the playing time for Western, who finished the season with just 72 goals against which was second in the West. He becomes the OUA West’s top goaltender for the second time, and also earns the second first team all-star nod of his career.
Domenic Alberga had a glowing debut campaign for the Ryerson Rams and earned the OUA West’s rookie of the year award for his efforts. The Maple, Ont., native led all first-year players and was third overall with 44 points. His 18 goals and 26 points were both tops among rookies. Among his 18 markers, four were game winners.
Matt Abercrombie of the Brock Badgers is the 2013-14 OUA West nominee for the Randy Gregg award, given out to the athlete that best exhibits outstanding achievement in hockey, academics and community involvement. On the ice, the Sarnia, Ont., native led the Badgers with 18 goals, 17 assists and 35 points. His 35 points placed him in the league’s top 15.
In the classroom, the kinesiology student is a three-time recipient of the Brock President’s award for maintaining an average above 75 percent. Abercrombie demonstrates his dedication to the community at every Badgers home game, participating on the ice during intermission with minor hockey players from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program. He has also dedicated his time to reading to children at local elementary schools and has been instrumental in the Coach-4-Food program where Badgers players coach minor hockey teams in exchange for donations to the Community Care food bank.
Ryerson Rams bench boss Graham Wise has been named the OUA West coach of the year for 2013-14. He guided the Rams to a 17-11 regular season record this year, earning five more wins than last season and setting a program-high for wins in a single season in the process. The Rams were in the hunt for first place in the West for much of the season, eventually finishing in third place. Wise coached this year’s rookie of the year, the top goal-scorer in the OUA and a trio of OUA West all-stars. The coach of the year award is the second for Wise after previously winning the 2009-10 award, when the Rams played in the OUA East.
Joining Harnden, Peroff and Unice as first team all-stars are Ryerson sniper Jamie Wise and Western veteran Daniel Erlich up front and Ryerson defenceman Peter Hermenegildo.
Wise (Stouffville, Ont.) was the top marksmen in the OUA this season, netting 21 goals. The second-year forward also added 24 assists. His 45 total points placed him second in the OUA. This is the first postseason recognition for Wise.
Daniel Erlich led the conference in points. The native of Thornhill, Ont., collected 50 points on 10 goals and amassed 40 assists. The second-year forward was a member of the OUA West all-rookie team last season.
Ryerson defenceman Peter Hermenegildo (Thornhill, Ont.) becomes an OUA all-star for the first time. In 19 games for the Rams he collected 26 points (5 G, 21 A), third among OUA blue liners.
The OUA West second team is comprised of Ryerson’s Alberga plus forwards Matt Clarke from Western and Guelph Nick Huard of the Guelph Gryphons, defencemen Joe Underwood of the Waterloo Warriors and Lakehead’s Mike Quesnele and Windsor goalie Parker Van Buskirk.
Clarke (London, Ont.) finished seventh on the OUA in points, registering 14 goals and 26 assists. This is his second postseason honour after being named to the first team last season.
North Bay, Ont., native Nick Huard led the Guelph Gryphons in points and tied for ninth in the OUA. The second-year forward collected 37 points on 18 goals and 19 helpers en route his first postseason recognition.
Waterloo defenceman Joe Underwood (Canton, Mich.) has received his second straight recognition on the OUA West second team. He was fourth among OUA blue liners in points, chipping in three goals and 19 assists.
Lakehead’s Mike Quesnele (Sault St. Marie, Ont.) garners a second team nod after contributing four goals and 15 assists to the Thunderwolves attack. The senior was previously a first team all-star in 2011-12.
Parker Van Buskirk of the Windsor Lancers becomes an all-star for the first time. The Windsor, Ont., native played in 26 games for the Lancers, stopping 762 shots in the process. He earned 16 wins and posted a goals against average of 2.66 and a save percentage of .920.
Joining rookie of the year Domenic Alberga on the OUA West all-rookie team are forwards Cody Alcock (Oshawa, Ont.) of the Lakehead Thunderwolves and Windsor’s Mac McDonnell (Allen Park, Mich.), defencemen Julian Luciani (Mississauga, Ont.) of the Lancers and Waterloo’s Stephen Silas (Georgetown, Ont.) and Thunderwolves goalie Justin McDonald (Turtleford, Sask.).
2013-14 OUA WEST MAJOR AWARDS
Most Valuable Player, presented by Harrow Sports Canada – Zach Harnden – Western
Most Sportsmanlike – Steven Reese – Western
Top Defencemen – Ken Peroff – Guelph
Top Goaltender – Josh Unice – Western
Rookie of the Year – Domenic Alberga – Ryerson
Randy Gregg Award – Matt Abercrombie – Brock
Coach of the Year – Graham Wise – Ryerson
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Forward
Jamie Wise – Ryerson
Zach Harnden – Western
Daniel Erlich – Western
Defence
Ken Peroff – Guelph
Peter Hermenegildo – Ryerson
Goaltender
Josh Unice – Western
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Forwards
Domenic Alberga – Ryerson
Matt Clarke – Western
Nick Huard – Guelph
Defence
Joe Underwood – Waterloo
Mike Quesnele – Lakehead
Goaltender
Parker Van Buskirk – Windsor
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Forwards
Domenic Alberga – Ryerson
Cody Alcock – Lakehead
Mac McDonnell – Windsor
Defence
Julian Luciani – Windsor
Stephen Silas – Waterloo
Goaltender
Justin McDonald – Lakehead
The 2013-14 West division most valuable player, presented by Harrow Sports Canada, is Zach Harnden of the Western Mustangs. The third-year forward from Thunder Bay, Ont., posted a career-high 41 points, counting 18 goals and 23 assists. Harnden was a force on special teams for the first-place Mustangs, collecting seven markers with the man advantage and adding a pair of shorthanded goals. Harden has earned the top honour in the West this season after being named the OUA and CIS rookie of the year in 2011-12. He was a second team all-star last season, and earns a first team recognition this season.
Western’s Steven Reese is now a back-to-back winner of the OUA West most sportsmanlike player award. The fourth-year forward from Dorchester, Ont., collected just eight penalty minutes in 27 games for the Mustangs and is widely respected across the OUA for his respectful demeanor on the ice. Reese continued to produce at a high this season as well, finishing fourth on the team with 32 points on 14 goals and 18 assists.
Guelph Gryphon defenceman Ken Peroff has been named the top defenceman in the West division. The Astorville, Ont., native was second among OUA blueliners in points this season. He scored eight goals and added 21 assists. The fourth-year blue liner did a remarkable job quarterbacking the Guelph power play; 13 of his 21 assists came with the man advantage. By being named top defencemen, Peroff becomes the first Gryphon to take home the honour. He is also a first team all-star for the second consecutive season.
Josh Unice of the Western Mustangs is the top goaltender in the OUA West division. The fifth-year backstop from Toledo, Ohio posted a 2.56 goals against average and a .927 save percentage for the first-place Mustangs. Unice received the bulk of the playing time for Western, who finished the season with just 72 goals against which was second in the West. He becomes the OUA West’s top goaltender for the second time, and also earns the second first team all-star nod of his career.
Domenic Alberga had a glowing debut campaign for the Ryerson Rams and earned the OUA West’s rookie of the year award for his efforts. The Maple, Ont., native led all first-year players and was third overall with 44 points. His 18 goals and 26 points were both tops among rookies. Among his 18 markers, four were game winners.
Matt Abercrombie of the Brock Badgers is the 2013-14 OUA West nominee for the Randy Gregg award, given out to the athlete that best exhibits outstanding achievement in hockey, academics and community involvement. On the ice, the Sarnia, Ont., native led the Badgers with 18 goals, 17 assists and 35 points. His 35 points placed him in the league’s top 15.
In the classroom, the kinesiology student is a three-time recipient of the Brock President’s award for maintaining an average above 75 percent. Abercrombie demonstrates his dedication to the community at every Badgers home game, participating on the ice during intermission with minor hockey players from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program. He has also dedicated his time to reading to children at local elementary schools and has been instrumental in the Coach-4-Food program where Badgers players coach minor hockey teams in exchange for donations to the Community Care food bank.
Ryerson Rams bench boss Graham Wise has been named the OUA West coach of the year for 2013-14. He guided the Rams to a 17-11 regular season record this year, earning five more wins than last season and setting a program-high for wins in a single season in the process. The Rams were in the hunt for first place in the West for much of the season, eventually finishing in third place. Wise coached this year’s rookie of the year, the top goal-scorer in the OUA and a trio of OUA West all-stars. The coach of the year award is the second for Wise after previously winning the 2009-10 award, when the Rams played in the OUA East.
Joining Harnden, Peroff and Unice as first team all-stars are Ryerson sniper Jamie Wise and Western veteran Daniel Erlich up front and Ryerson defenceman Peter Hermenegildo.
Wise (Stouffville, Ont.) was the top marksmen in the OUA this season, netting 21 goals. The second-year forward also added 24 assists. His 45 total points placed him second in the OUA. This is the first postseason recognition for Wise.
Daniel Erlich led the conference in points. The native of Thornhill, Ont., collected 50 points on 10 goals and amassed 40 assists. The second-year forward was a member of the OUA West all-rookie team last season.
Ryerson defenceman Peter Hermenegildo (Thornhill, Ont.) becomes an OUA all-star for the first time. In 19 games for the Rams he collected 26 points (5 G, 21 A), third among OUA blue liners.
The OUA West second team is comprised of Ryerson’s Alberga plus forwards Matt Clarke from Western and Guelph Nick Huard of the Guelph Gryphons, defencemen Joe Underwood of the Waterloo Warriors and Lakehead’s Mike Quesnele and Windsor goalie Parker Van Buskirk.
Clarke (London, Ont.) finished seventh on the OUA in points, registering 14 goals and 26 assists. This is his second postseason honour after being named to the first team last season.
North Bay, Ont., native Nick Huard led the Guelph Gryphons in points and tied for ninth in the OUA. The second-year forward collected 37 points on 18 goals and 19 helpers en route his first postseason recognition.
Waterloo defenceman Joe Underwood (Canton, Mich.) has received his second straight recognition on the OUA West second team. He was fourth among OUA blue liners in points, chipping in three goals and 19 assists.
Lakehead’s Mike Quesnele (Sault St. Marie, Ont.) garners a second team nod after contributing four goals and 15 assists to the Thunderwolves attack. The senior was previously a first team all-star in 2011-12.
Parker Van Buskirk of the Windsor Lancers becomes an all-star for the first time. The Windsor, Ont., native played in 26 games for the Lancers, stopping 762 shots in the process. He earned 16 wins and posted a goals against average of 2.66 and a save percentage of .920.
Joining rookie of the year Domenic Alberga on the OUA West all-rookie team are forwards Cody Alcock (Oshawa, Ont.) of the Lakehead Thunderwolves and Windsor’s Mac McDonnell (Allen Park, Mich.), defencemen Julian Luciani (Mississauga, Ont.) of the Lancers and Waterloo’s Stephen Silas (Georgetown, Ont.) and Thunderwolves goalie Justin McDonald (Turtleford, Sask.).
2013-14 OUA WEST MAJOR AWARDS
Most Valuable Player, presented by Harrow Sports Canada – Zach Harnden – Western
Most Sportsmanlike – Steven Reese – Western
Top Defencemen – Ken Peroff – Guelph
Top Goaltender – Josh Unice – Western
Rookie of the Year – Domenic Alberga – Ryerson
Randy Gregg Award – Matt Abercrombie – Brock
Coach of the Year – Graham Wise – Ryerson
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Forward
Jamie Wise – Ryerson
Zach Harnden – Western
Daniel Erlich – Western
Defence
Ken Peroff – Guelph
Peter Hermenegildo – Ryerson
Goaltender
Josh Unice – Western
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Forwards
Domenic Alberga – Ryerson
Matt Clarke – Western
Nick Huard – Guelph
Defence
Joe Underwood – Waterloo
Mike Quesnele – Lakehead
Goaltender
Parker Van Buskirk – Windsor
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Forwards
Domenic Alberga – Ryerson
Cody Alcock – Lakehead
Mac McDonnell – Windsor
Defence
Julian Luciani – Windsor
Stephen Silas – Waterloo
Goaltender
Justin McDonald – Lakehead
