Warnaar named Southwest player-of-the-month

Press Release

The OJHL announced today that Mississauga Chargers captain Trevor Warnaar has been named the Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for January after registering 11 goals and 22 points in 10 games played during the month. 

The fourth year Charger continued his stellar play after returning in late November from a horrific injury that was sustained at the 2013 OJHL Governors' Showcase held in Oakville.  Warnaar led all OJHL scorers during the month of January with 11 goals and 11 assists to help the club's drive to the post-season with a 7-3 record on the month, that included a five game win streak.  He recorded multiple points five times during the month, including two, five point efforts in wins over Milton and Hamilton that saw him notch four and three goals respectively.  Warnaar fired home three game-winning goals in January and also had two important assists during a 2-1 victory over the South Division champion Toronto Lakeshore Patriots.

"To be recognized as South-West Player-of-the-Month is a great honour," said the Chargers' captain.  "This year has been the most challenging, and yet memorable, hockey season of my career.  If it had not been for the support and encouragement of my teammates, coaches and medical staff, I would likely not have made it back on the ice after my injury at the Showcase Tournament.  I consider this Player-of-the-Month recognition as a team award and I want to share this award with them.  What everyone on this team did for me I will never forget and it will be with me for the rest of my life."

"As an overage player in the league," continued Warnaar, "it would mean a great deal to me to make the playoffs and have a strong run in the post-season.  We've been successful  in the New Year so far and the team has been playing well together.  If we continue to play the way we have been I think we will surprise some teams and there is no other group of people that I would rather share that success with than the players, coaches and staff in that room right now."

"The entire organization is very proud of Trevor," said Chargers Head Coach Joe Washkurak.  "As the entire OJHL knows, Trevor had a very serious injury at Governors' Showcase Weekend and has worked very hard to come back.  Trevor's linemates Lucas Venuto and Mitch Mehling have played very well along with Trevor and have been instrumental in helping Trevor win this award.  Trevor is a very humble person, but I feel has really been the heart and soul of our team since he came back and a huge reason where our team is today. Trevor is a true leader and I would like to thank our therapist Dr. Karen Chrobak for helping Trevor back to where he is today...she worked very hard with him."

Jeremy Gottzmann of the Milton Icehawks was runner-up to Warnaar as the South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month.  The forward, who was acquired from Burlington earlier this season, recorded 17 points in 8 games played to help push the Icehawks to the top of the West Division standings.

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