Braeden Kressler

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Lawson Sherk of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Ethan Cardwell of the Barrie Colts, Aidan Campbell of the Erie Otters and Braeden Kressler of the Flint Firebirds have been named OHL Academic Players of the Month for February.

East Division: Hamilton’s Lawson Sherk is February’s East Division Academic Player of the Month. Sherk achieved a 93.3% average over three first semester courses at Ancaster High School that included university level Physics and Chemistry.

His teachers praise him for his good attendance and his perseverance and his second semester teachers have already provided positive feedback.

The Bulldogs rookie has put up four goals and 10 assists for 14 points over his first 58 games. He was drafted by Hamilton 40th overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection following a 50-point season (15-35—50) with the OMHA’s Halton Hurricanes.

Central Division: Ethan Cardwell has been recognized as February’s Central Division Academic Player of the Month. The Barrie Colts winger received marks of over 90% in three of his four university level courses and over 80% in his fourth. His courses included English, Calculus, Leadership and Elite Athlete, and he’ll graduate from high school upon completing his current university courses in English, Business Management, and World Issues.

Cardwell was commended for his involvement both on the ice and in the community. His dedication, maturity, and commitment to balancing academics with athleticism were also applauded.

The 17-year-old sits second in scoring among his Barrie teammates with 44 points (21-23—44) over 57 games in his sophomore OHL season. The Courtice, Ont. native was originally a second round pick of the Saginaw Spirit in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

Midwest Division: Aidan Campbell of the Erie Otters is February’s Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month. The 17-year-old goaltender has been working toward six online courses as well as a major senior project at Fairview Senior High/Seneca Valley Senior High.

“He consistently works at the highest academic level and maintains a positive attitude despite his rigorous schedule,” wrote advisor Leigh Kostis.

The native of Cranberry Township, Penn. has posted an .878 save percentage and 3.50 goals-against average over 25 appearances in his rookie season with the Otters. He was picked up in the 12th round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection out of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15 team and spent the 2018-19 season with the U16 elite squad where he posted eight shutouts and held a 0.69 goals-against average and .944 save percentage.

West Division: Braeden Kressler of the Flint Firebirds has been named the West Division’s Academic Player of the Month for February. He earned a 3.78 GPA in Physical Education, Modern Tech, Leadership, and Math at Grand Blanc High School, and has been praised for his work ethic both in the classroom and on the ice.

The rookie centreman has amassed seven goals and eight assists for 15 points through 41 games in his rookie season with the Firebirds. The Kitchener, Ont. native was drafted 28th overall by the ‘Birds in last year’s OHL Priority Selection after spending the 2018-19 season with the Mississauga Senators where he put up 30 points (18-12—30).

2019-20 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
February – Lawson Sherk (Hamilton Bulldogs)
January – Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
December – Cameron Tolnai (Ottawa 67’s)
November – Lleyton Moore (Oshawa Generals)
October – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)

Central Division:
February – Ethan Cardwell (Barrie Colts)
January – Ethan Del Mastro (Mississauga Steelheads)
December – Giordano Biondi (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)
October – Pacey Schlueting (North Bay Battalion)

Midwest Division:
February – Aidan Campbell (Erie Otters)
January – Logan LaSage (Owen Sound Attack)
December – Stuart Rolofs (London Knights)
November – Michael Vukojevic (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Zack Terry (Guelph Storm)

West Division:
February – Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
January – Will Cuylle (Windsor Spitfires)
December – Jacob Holmes (Soo Greyhounds)
November – Ryan Mast (Sarnia Sting)
October – Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 340 OHL Alumni at 69 different academic institutions across North America with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.2 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.