Thunderbird named NOJHL's top rookie
Friday, March 22, 2013 by: Brad Coccimiglio
For the second straight season, a member of the Soo Thunderbirds has been named the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League rookie of the year.
Thunderbirds goaltender Joel Horodziejczyk was named the league’s top rookie on Friday afternoon, one year after defenceman Josh Hicks earned the honour while also playing with the Thunderbirds.
In 32 games this season, Horodziejczyk posted a 19-10-2 record, with a goals against average of 2.38 and save percentage of .918. The 18-year-old finished third in the NOJHL in wins while finishing second in goals against average and save percentage.
Other NOJHL award winners include:
Director of the Year: Rusty Joncas (Blind River)
Best Defensive Forward: Brandon Bazinet (Blind River)
Most Improved Player: Trevor Hunt (North Bay)
Best Defenceman: Adam Newkirk (Blind River)
All-Star Teams
1st Team
- Goaltender: Greg Dodds (North Bay Trappers)
- Defence: Jeremy Picard-Fiset (Kirkland Lake Gold Miners), Adam Newkirk (Blind River Beavers)
- Centre: Darcy Haines (Sudbury Nickel Barons)
- Left Wing: Tait Seguin (North Bay Trappers)
- Right Wing: Sebastien Leroux (Sudbury Nickel Barons)
- Coach: Marc Lafleur (Kirkland Lake Gold Miners)
- Manager: Rusty Joncas (Blind River Beavers)
- Trainer: Mario Laino (Sudbury Nickel Barons)
2nd Team
- Goaltender: Joel Horodziejczyk (Soo Thunderbirds)
- Defence: Michael Caruso (Soo Thunderbirds), Cole Klippenstein (North Bay Trappers)
- Centre: Brandon Janke (North Bay Trappers)
- Left Wing: Brandon Warmington (Soo Thunderbirds)
- Right Wing: Darcy Casola (Soo Thunderbirds)
- Coach: Dave Clancy (Sudbury Nickel Barons)
- Manager: Jim MacKinnon (Kirkland Lake Gold Miners)
- Trainer: Carla Vine (Kirkland Lake Gold Miners)
Photo courtesy NOJHL
