Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for December 2017, including Jake Murray of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Kai Edmonds of the Barrie Colts, Alex Gritz of the Erie Otters and Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds.
East Division: Hamilton Bulldogs rookie forward Jake Murray is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Komoka, Ont. has produced excellent grades in Grade 12 university level kinesiology and challenge and change in Society courses, serving as a good example to his classmates and other student athletes. “Jake prepares carefully in advance for missed classes due to road trips and he quickly gets caught up when he returns,” said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson. “He sets high expectations for himself and is well liked by both teachers and peers at Ancaster High School.” A former fourth round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs Minor Midgets, Murray has a goal and an assist in 22 games with Hamilton this season.
Central Division: Barrie Colts rookie netminder Kai Edmonds is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Carlsbad Springs, Ont. has achieved an overall average of 87% in Grade 12 university level studies at Innisdale Secondary School. “Kai is currently taking four university level courses and has maintained high grades including a 92% average in advanced functions,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. A 6-foot-2, 162Ib. goaltender, Edmonds was an 11th round pick by the Colts in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Cumberland Grads Midgets. He’s posted a 5-1-0-0 record with a 3.24 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage in eight games with the Colts this season.
Midwest Division: Sophomore Erie Otters forward Alex Gritz is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Cranberry Twp., Penn. holds a 91% average over six different Grade 12 courses at Seneca Valley High School including a 98% in psychology and a 96% in physical education. “Alex is an extremely focused and motivated student,” said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. “He is a leader in the classroom and sets a great example for his teammates.” A former third round pick by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, the Waterloo Wolves Minor Midget graduate has 10 goals, eight assists and 18 points in 36 games with the Otters this season.
West Division: Sophomore Flint Firebirds centreman Ty Dellandrea has been named the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Port Perry, Ont. has achieved high grades in Grade 12 digital media arts, physical education, English and speech courses at Grand Blanc High School. “Ty is a hard-working and responsible student,” said Firebirds academic advisor Nathan Riek. “He is well respected by his teachers and classmates.” Flint’s first round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Dellandrea has 13 goals, 14 assists and 27 points in 34 games for the Firebirds this season. He was a ‘B’ rated skater on NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ List for the 2018 NHL Draft.
2017-18 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
East Division:
December – Jake Murray (Hamilton Bulldogs)
November – Chad Denault (Peterborough Petes)
October – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)
Central Division:
December – Kai Edmonds (Barrie Colts)
November – Isaac Walker (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Blake McConville (Sudbury Wolves)
Midwest Division:
December – Alex Gritz (Erie Otters)
November – Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack)
October – Billy Moskal (London Knights)
West Division:
December – Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
November – Chris Playfair (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Brett Jacklin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 301 OHL Alumni with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.17 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $18.8 million.
Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.
OHL Writers 