Monday, March 5, 2012

Thunderbirds’ Hicks named NOJHL rookie of the year

Press Release

Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Josh Hicks is a guy you’d rarely notice on the ice. And for a defenceman, that’s exactly the kind of player a team wants – someone who falls below the radar screen, someone who does his job and doesn’t make mistakes. The first-year Soo Thunderbird was recently awarded the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League’s John Grignon Trophy, which goes to the rookie of the year.

“He’s consistent,” said general manager Kevin Cain. “Josh has been a really good player all year. He understands the idea of looking after the puck and focusing on defending first.”

In 49 games for the Thunderbirds, Hicks registered 20 points – five goals and 15 assists – while helping anchor the club’s blueline. Of his five tallies, two came on the power play and he also notched one game-winner. The 17-year-old product of Sault Ste. Marie played the last two campaigns with the Soo North Stars midget AAA squad, where injuries often broke up his playing season.

“With an injury-free year, Josh was able to grow and develop on the ice,” said Cain. “He has been a great player for a long time. With a full season, he definitely exceeded expectations.”

The NOJHL awards are voted on by each team in the league. Clubs are not allowed to cast a ballot for their own members. “There were a lot of really good players up for the award,” said Cain. “The bottom line is that Josh is a widely-respected guy, on and off the ice.”

Hicks joins the likes of former Soo Greyhound Steve Sullivan, currently with the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins, who took home the NOJHL’s rookie of the year award in 1992 when he skated for the Timmins Golden Bears.

Past Soo Thunderbirds Brett Perlini (2007) and Matt Caria (2005) were also recipients of the award. Perlini is now in his senior year at Michigan State University in the NCAA’s Division 1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Caria recently wrapped up his third campaign for Lakehead University, where he was second on the club in scoring and was just named a second-team OUA all-star.

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

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