SUDBURY, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) announced Sunday that Carter Drigo (Espanola Paper Kings); Dylan Rousselle (Powassan Voodoos); Matthew Vahramian (Greater Sudbury Cubs) and Cole Vreugdenhil, (G) Powassan Voodoos have been named its RBC Forward; Orendorff & Associates Defenceman; Skater’s Edge Source for Sports Goaltender and Journal Printing Rookie of the Month, respectively, for February.
RBC FORWARD: Carter Drigo, Espanola Paper Kings – Collecting points in all six games he took part in during the period, Drigo amassed 15 in total, including notching a league-high dozen tallies.
The 18-year-old, who hails from Lively, Ont., went on a run in February that saw him register four consecutive multi-goal outings, which featured a trio of hat tricks in succession, highlighted by a four-marker performance, to help him reach a personal season-best 30 goals on the campaign.
Drigo will enter March on an eight-game heater in which he has scored 15 times and aided on four others.
Honourable Mention: Mason Walker, Greater Sudbury Cubs; Cameron Menard, Hearst Lumberjacks
Monthly recipients
September: Joseph Coates, Espanola Paper Kings
October: Mathieu Comeau, Hearst Lumberjacks
November: Nolan Newton, Greater Sudbury Cubs
December: Kaeden McArthur, Timmins Rock
January: Owen King, Greater Sudbury Cubs
February: Carter Drigo, Espanola Paper Kings
ORENDORFF & ASSOCIATES DEFENCEMAN: Dylan Rousselle, Powassan Voodoos – The first-year blueliner topped all NOJHL D-man in points with 11 and moved into the Top 5 in points among rearguards overall with 40 in his rookie season.
His six goals also led all league defencemen in the time frame, one of which was a game-winner. He also chipped in with five assists as well.
The 18 markers for the 17-year-old from Blind River, Ont., to date see Rousselle lead all NOJHL defencemen in that department. With that, the last time a rookie led the way in goals from the back end was in 2021-22 when future NHL draft pick Andrew Gibson accomplished the feat with the Soo Thunderbirds, with 21.
Honourable Mention: Julien Trudel, Hearst Lumberjacks; Marcus Krats, Powassan Voodoos
Monthly recipients
September: Max DeCoff, Soo Thunderbirds
October: William Pâquet, Hearst Lumberjacks
November: Braedyn Cyr, Timmins Rock
December: Marcus Krats, Powassan Voodoos
January: Spencer Horgan, Greater Sudbury Cubs
February: Dylan Rousselle, Powassan Voodoos
SKATER’S EDGE SOURCE FOR SPORTS GOALTENDER: Matthew Vahramian, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Continuing his solid run this season, Vahramian went unbeaten for the first place Cubs.
The 19-year-old netminder, who calls Owen Sound, Ont., home, went 4-0 for Greater Sudbury in February, sporting a crisp 1.02 goals-against average and an equally solid .957 save percentage.
Presently pacing the league in GAA at 1.97, Vahramian also sits fourth with his .922 save mark and leads the NOJHL in wins at 18, featuring 11 straight victories to his credit.
Honourable Mention: Cole Vreugdenhil, Powassan Voodoos; Jack Helkie; Hearst Lumberjacks
Monthly recipients
September: Alexandre Boivin, Hearst Lumberjacks
October: Logan Vale, Espanola Paper Kings
November: Frédéric Cousineau, Timmins Rock
December: Frédéric Cousineau, Timmins Rock
January: Jace Knoerle, Soo Eagles
February: Matthew Vahramian, Greater Sudbury Cubs
JOURNAL PRINTING ROOKIE: Cole Vreugdenhil, (G) Powassan Voodoos – As the youngest netminder in the NOJHL this season, the 16-year-old Hannon, Ont., product was sharp throughout his time between the pipes last month.
Vreugdenhil went on to register a 4-1-0-0 record in providing a 1.21 goals-against average to go with a .956 save percentage and posting his first career NOJHL shutout.
His play for Powassan did not go unnoticed as it earned him a call-up to the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League where he has come away victorious in each of his past two starts.
Honourable Mention: Owen Smith, (F) Espanola Paper Kings; Mavrik Boucher, (F) Kirkland Lake Gold Miners
Monthly recipients
September: Benjamin Coupal, (F) Iroquois Falls Storm
October: Drew Christian, (F) Soo Thunderbirds
November: Gavin Killoran, (F) Soo Thunderbirds
December: Dylan Rousselle, (D) Powassan Voodoos
January: Jax Pereira, (F) Powassan Voodoos
February: Cole Vreugdenhil, (G) Powassan Voodoos
Photo credits
Drigo; Rousselle & Vreugdenhil: Tanner Wallace / Tan Tan Photography
Vahramian: Caleigh Fera / Points North Media
