BUITENHUIS NAMED GOALTENDER-OF-MONTH

Press Release

The OJHL announced today that Oakville Blades rookie Evan Buitenhuis (photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear Goaltender-of-the-Month for October after finishing with a 5-1-2 record, including a 1.41 goals against average during the month.

The 6’2”, 185 lbs netminder continued his winning ways in October, but would improved statistically from September, while keeping the Oakville Blades at the top of the South Division standings. Playing all eight games for Oakville, Buitenhuis would only lose one game in regulation time, while allowing just 11 goals and posting three of his five victories by shutout; the first shutouts of his Junior ‘A’ career. His scintillating 1.41 goals against average was the best total in the OJHL among starting netminders during the month, while his .938 save percentage also ranked among the league leaders. His monthly totals moved him into the top ten in overall goals against average (2.45), while tying for the league lead with three shutouts.

Buitenhuis was thrilled to receive his first Junior ‘A’ award, “I would like to thank the OJHL. It's a real honour to receive the Goaltender-Of-The-Month award. I feel fortunate to be playing for such a great club as the Oakville Blades. They are very supportive and have put together a great team and have created an excellent environment for the players. The guys are awesome and they work hard every shift which makes my job easier. I am looking forward to the rest of the season and our team continuing to build on the success we have had so far.”

“The Oakville Blades would like to thank the OJHL for this great honour,” said the club’s General Manager Duncan Harvey. “Evan is a great example of what players in this league should strive for. He is a strong student athlete who focuses just as hard on his training as he does on his academics. Evan is a great young man and we are proud to have him as a Blade.”

Blades Head Coach Kevin Gomes echoed his GM’s sentiment, “Evan has proven to be the backbone for our young team and allowed all the players to play with confidence knowing Evan is back there.”|
Charlie Finn of the Kingston Voyageurs was runner-up to Buitenhuis as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month. Finn led the Vees to a 3-1-4 record while posting a 1.92 goals against average and two shutouts, while facing 284 shots in just eight games played.

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