Tuesday, March 20, 2012

GEIGER NAMED TOP DEFENCEMAN

Press Release

The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) today announced that Paul Geiger (photo credit - Craig Campbell/HHOF) of the Stouffville Spirit has been named the recipient of the OJHL Top Defenceman Award, while also announcing a three-year agreement with Baycon Construction for naming rights of the award.

Paul Geiger finished the 2011-12 OJHL season leading all OJHL defencemen with a 1.25 points/game average, while finishing second with both 41 assists and 54 points and third among all rearguards with 13 goals. Not only do his totals rank him among the best at his position, but his 41 helpers also tied for the fifth best total in the entire OJHL.

The 6’3”, 210 lbs. native of Stouffville, who played his rookie season as a member of the Markham Waxers in 2009-10, has spent the past two years as a member of his hometown Spirit. One of the keys to the club’s success, often playing upwards of 30+ minutes/night, Geiger has helped the club to two of its most successful seasons in franchise history, ultimately finishing second in North Division during 2011-12 and sixth overall in the OJHL.

A stabilizing force on the Spirit’s backend, Geiger was a significant member of the club’s potent offensive output, finishing fourth overall on the club in scoring and tied for second in assists behind OJHL scoring champion Christian Finch. Recording 16 multi-point games throughout the season, he was also an important cog on the league’s third best power play unit, notching six power play goals and 25 power play assists, the second best total on the Spirit, as well as among all OJHL defencemen. Other statistical totals for Geiger include two shorthanded assists and two game-winning goals, while playing important defensive shutdown minutes on the penalty kill and when protecting a lead.

Other highlights of Geiger’s award-filled season include winning a silver medal as a member of Team Canada East at the 2011 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge held in Langley, B.C. and finishing as runner-up as a member of the North Division All-Stars at the inaugural Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Earlier in the season, Geiger would follow in his father’s footsteps, committing to an NCAA Division I scholarship with the Clarkson University Golden Knights, beginning in the fall of 2012, and after finishing the regular season strong, he was named runner-up as the North-West Conference Gongshow Gear Player-of-the-Month for February

It was also announced today that the Top Defenceman Award will now be named the OJHL Baycon Construction Top Defenceman Award, after agreeing to a three-year partnership with the Hamilton-based company.

“The Ontario Junior Hockey League would like to welcome Baycon Construction to the OJHL family,” said OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy. “Baycon is a leader in the construction industry throughout Ontario, a common trait that can be found within all previous and future winners of the OJHL Top Defenceman Award. This partnership is perfectly suited for both organizations.”

The OJHL Top Defenceman Award is awarded annually to the defenceman adjudged to have demonstrated
the greatest all-round ability at his position throughout the regular season.

Anthony Mastrodicasa of the Vaughan Vipers has been named runner-up in the OJHL award balloting to Geiger. Mastrodicasa, the 2010-11 OJHL Top Defenceman, finished the season with 35 points in 39 games played as the Vipers captain and was also named an OJHL 2nd Team All-Star.

The OJHL Rookie-of-the-Year Award recipient will be announced later this week.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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