OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for January.

West Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for January in the West Division is right winger Derek Lanoue of the Windsor Spitfires. Lanoue, 18, a native of Belle River, Ontario currently is a first year student at the University of Windsor. “Derek successfully completed three Fall session courses in; English Composition (B), General Chemistry (A-), and Calculus (A). He is currently enrolled in three Winter session classes at the University and plans to attend two summer classes as well,” commented Spitfire Academic Advisor John Laporte.

Midwest Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for January in the Midwest Division is centre Steven Shipley of the Owen Sound Attack. Shipley, 17, a native of Ilderton, Ontario currently is a Grade 12 student at West Hill Secondary School in Owen Sound. “Steven is a very hard working individual who maintains an ‘A’ average at school while playing a vital role on our hockey team,” commented Sarah Rowe, Academic Advisor for the Attack. Shipley was Owen Sound’s 1st Round Selection in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection and participated in the 2010 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Central Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for January in the Central Division is centre Joseph Cramarossa of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. Cramarossa, 17, a native of Markham, Ontario is a Grade 12 student at St. Michael’s College School. Majors Academic Advisor Kimberley Bailey had this to say about Joseph, “Joseph is maintaing an 84% while taking a full course load and playing regularly in the OHL.” Cramarossa was the Majors 3rd Round Selection in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.

East Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for January in the East Division is left winger Matt Puempel of the Peterborough Petes Hockey Club. Puempel, 16, a native of Essex, Ontario, is currently attending Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School in Peterborough. “Matt is working as a peer tutor in a Learning and Life Skills class and is working closely with a student who has high needs. Matt has been an amazing role model for this student. His marks in his other classes are consistently in the 80’s and all of his teachers describe him as a hard worker and a pleasure to have,” commented Janet Wylie, Academic Advisor for the Petes. Puempel was the Petes 1st Round Selection in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection and a member of Team Ontario Under 17.

OHL Academic Highlights:
• OHL players successfully completed 97% of high school courses during the 2008-09 season.

• This season the OHL awarded a record 355 Academic Scholarships including 164 to current players and 191 graduated players.

• Of the 54 overage players that competed in the league during the 2008-09 season, 24 have signed professional hockey contracts while 30 have accessed their academic scholarships in 2009-10 at various institutions across North America.

• OHL teams contributed just under $2 million in 2008-09 towards scholarships for current and graduate players.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)