WINTJES NAMED GOALTENDER-OF-THE-MONTH

Press Release 

 The OJHL announced today that Newmarket Hurricanes netminder Matthew Wintjes has been named the inaugural Gongshow Gear Goaltender-of-the-Month after posting a 6-1-1 record and a 1.87 goals against average while leading the club to an early first place lead in the North Division.

The OJHL also announced that it has renewed its partnership with Gongshow Hockey, Inc. for another season as the Official Lifestyle Hockey Apparel of the OJHL, while also sponsoring the OJHL Player-of-the-Month Awards and supplying all three winners each month with a Gongshow Gear apparel package.
The four-year OJHL veteran started eight of the nine Hurricanes games in September, posting a 6-1-1 record, including a league-high two shutouts and the fourth best save percentage at .919. Highlights of the month were Wintjes’ two shutout performances, both coming on the road, in which he was named the game’s 2nd star on September 13 with an 18 save victory over division rival Stouffville and a 21 save performance against Wellington on September 21.

Wintjes was honoured, when informed of his second OJHL Player-of-the-Month award, “I would like to thank the OJHL for selecting me as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month. Winning an award such as this early in the season is a great honour and confidence builder for me and my teammates. My coaches have always preached about individual success coming from team success and I'm a firm believer in that. I look forward to building on our achievements individually and as a team throughout the season and playoffs.”
Hurricanes General Manager Maurice Catenacci recognized the significance of his starting netminder on the club’s early season success, “The Newmarket Hurricanes would like to congratulate Matt Wintjes on his selection as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month. We thank the OJHL for acknowledging Matt and recognizing his efforts and accomplishments over the past month. Matt has been the backbone of our team early in the season, giving stability and confidence to a younger core of Hurricanes players. The Hurricanes would also like to wish Matt continued success in his development and quest as an elite goaltender. We're all extremely proud of Matty who leads by example and is most deserving of this award.”

Parker Gahagen of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres was runner-up to Wintjes as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month. Gahagen posted a 6-1-0 record on the month with one shutout, a 2.71 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)