Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Jackson Parsons of the Kitchener Rangers, Pano Fimis of the Niagara IceDogs, Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals and Ryder McIntyre of the Sarnia Sting have been named Academic Players of the Month for January.
East Division: Oshawa Generals rookie defender Luca Marrelli is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for January.
Marrelli achieved a 92 percent average in grade 11 university-level English, Math and Accounting plus High Performance at Maxwell Heights Secondary School.
“Luca is a conscientious and personable individual who leads by example demonstrating a strong work ethic,” commented Generals academic advisor Tom Buchanan.
The 16-year-old from Toronto, Ont. has recorded seven points in 34 games (0-7–7) for the Generals. Marrelli was selected in the fifth round (81st overall) by Oshawa in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.
Central Division: Niagara IceDogs forward Pano Fimis is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for January.
Fimis is currently taking grade 12 university-level English, Advanced Functions and Exercise Science where he is holding an average in the high 80s at Governor Simcoe Secondary School.
“Pano is having an excellent season both on and off the ice,” said IceDogs academic advisor Tim Tope. “He is well respected by both staff and students and is sure to lead the IceDogs for years to come.”
The Richmond Hill, Ont. native has been a big contributor for the IceDogs, recording 23 points in 34 games (6-17–23). The 17-year-old scored his first career goal in his OHL debut against the Barrie Colts on Oct. 7th. Fimis was selected second overall by the IceDogs in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection and was ranked 77th in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2022 NHL Draft.
Midwest Division: Kitchener Rangers goaltender Jackson Parsons is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for January.
Parsons is currently taking a full grade 12 university-level course load, which includes straight-A marks in English, Data Management, World Issues, Functions and Healthy Living at Victus Academy. Jackson’s future academic goals are to attend the University of Waterloo or Wilfrid Laurier University to study Sports Management and Business.
“Over the course of the past year and a half, Jackson has handled the transition from a French high school to an English online school with maturity and focus,” said Rangers academic advisor Dave Tennant. “His teachers describe Jackson as an exceptional student, who is diligent and thoughtful in everything he does, including outside of the classroom where he has taken it upon himself to provide mentorship for another student at the school. Jackson is truly a pleasure to talk to off the ice at the rink as well. He listens to all guidance and approaches every situation with a smile.”
Goaltending coach, Jordan DeKort also has good things to say about Parsons.
“It is challenging to be a 17-year-old goalie, it’s his first year in the league, but he has done exceptionally well to adapt. Jackson has been super consistent for us, and he really puts a lot of effort into everything he does, both on and off the ice.”
The Embrun, Ont. native has made 15 appearances for the Rangers, going 6-8-0-0 with a 4.11 goals-against average and .880 save percentage in his first OHL season. Parsons was selected in the third round (53rd overall) by the Rangers in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
West Division: Sarnia Sting forward Ryder McIntyre is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for January, excelling in his studies with a 95 percent average at Northern Collegiate Vocational Institute.
McIntyre is currently taking grade 12 university-level Functions, Biology and Business Leadership.
“Ryder is an exceptional student athlete who is a role model for others,” said Sting academic advisor Mark Scott. “He is an engaged student with an exceptional work ethic who consistently puts forth his best effort both in the classroom and on the ice.”
The 17-year-old from Stouffville, Ont. has seven points in 27 games for the Sting this season (3-4-7), as he recorded a goal and an assist in his career OHL game on Oct. 7th. McIntyre was selected in the third round (51st overall) by the Sting in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
2021-22 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
East Division:
January – Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals)
December – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
November – Cole Brown (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Sam Alfano (Peterborough Petes)
Central Division:
January – Pano Fimis (Niagara IceDogs)
December – Owen Van Steensel (North Bay Battalion)
November – Hunter Haight (Barrie Colts)
October – Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Midwest Division:
January – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
December – Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
November – Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
October – Cal Uens (Owen Sound Attack)
West Division:
January – Ryder McIntyre (Sarnia Sting)
December – PJ Forgione (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Ethan Hay (Flint Firebirds)
October – Bronson Ride (Windsor Spitfires)
A total of 343 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2020-21 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3.1 million. Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.
Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.
OHL Writers 