IceDogs’ Hamilton and Spitfires’ Lanoue Win OHL Academic Awards

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs and Derek Lanoue of the Windsor Spitfires are Scholastic Award winners for the 2009-10 season.

Hamilton is the recipient of the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award as the OHL’s Top Academic Player attending High School, while Lanoue claims the Roger Neilson Memorial Award as the OHL’s Top Academic Player attending College or University. Both awards were first introduced in March 2005 to recognize the accomplishments of the top student athletes that compete in the OHL.

Ivan Tennant Memorial Award (Top Academic Player in High School)

Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs

Hamilton becomes the third straight member of the Niagara IceDogs to win this award following his older brother Freddie who won the award last season, and Alex Friesen who won in 2007-08. Hamilton is a Grade 11 student and attends Governor Simcoe Secondary School in St. Catharines. He carries an academic average of 98% enrolled in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English, Health for Life, and a Grade 12 level Functions course where he has a perfect 100% grade.

“We are very proud of Dougie and his accomplishments this season both on and off the ice” said IceDogs’ General Manager Dave Brown. “He is a very bright kid and his commitment and attention to detail has helped him excel as a student athlete, and our organization is grateful for the support that Dougie and all of our players receive at Governor Simcoe Secondary School.”

Hamilton, a 16-year-old rookie defenceman from Toronto, ON, was selected by the IceDogs in the second round, 27th overall in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. He finished the season with 16 points in 64 games and was named to the second OHL All-Rookie team. He also competed as a member of Team Ontario at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge winning a silver medal.

“It is clear that Dougie has made a strong commitment to his studies” said IceDogs’ Academic Advisor Tim Tope. “While his numerous on-ice activities are impressive, his ability to lead his fellow peers through example and stay grounded has been most impressive.”

This award is given to the Top Academic High School Player and is named in honour of Ivan Tennant, who spent a lifetime combining hockey and education. He was the Kitchener Rangers' Education Consultant for 20 years and a key figure on the OHL's Education Consultant's Committee.

The award was introduced in March of 2005 with previous winners including Matt Pelech (Sarnia, 2004-05), Joe Pleckaitis (Ottawa, 2005-06), and Andrew Shorkey (Owen Sound, 2006-07).

Jeremy Gottzmann of the Erie Otters is a runner-up for this award with a 91% high school average taking six Grade 11 courses. Jan Kaminsky of the Belleville Bulls finished third with a 90% high school average while taking six Grade 12 courses.

2009-10 Ivan Tennant Memorial Award Nominees:
Barrie – Steve Gaskin
Belleville – Jan Kaminsky
Brampton – Cameron Wind
Erie – Jeremy Gottzmann
Guelph – Zach Mitchell
Kingston – Tyler Mort
Kitchener – Jeff Skinner
London – Scott Harrington
Mississauga – Joseph Cramarossa
Niagara – Dougie Hamilton
Oshawa – Boone Jenner
Ottawa – Ryan Hanes
Owen Sound – Geoffrey Schemitsch
Peterborough – Matt Puempel
Plymouth – Colin MacDonald
Saginaw – Anthony Camara
Sarnia – Nathan Chiarlitti
Sudbury – Gregory Jambrosich
Sault Ste. Marie – Trevor Morbeck
Windsor – Sam Posa


Roger Neilson Memorial Award (Top Academic Player in College or University)

Derek Lanoue, Windsor Spitfires

Lanoue is a student at the University of Windsor and is enrolled in six courses maintaining an 84% average. His courses include English, Chemistry I and II, Calculus I and II, and Stats for Sciences where he has achieved a 92% grade. Earlier this season he was named the West Division Academic Player of the Month for January.

“His academic success speaks for itself but Derek works extremely hard on and off the ice” said Spitfires General Manager Warren Rychel. “We are delighted to have him on our team and his accomplishments as a winner of this award exemplifies what our organization is all about.”

Lanoue, a 20-year-old from Belle River, ON, played 39 games this year in his first OHL season with the Spitfires recording two goals and four assists.

“Derek is deserving of this award due to his success and commitment toward education” said Spitfires’ Academic Advisor John Laporte.

The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is named in honour of the Hall of Fame Coach. While coaching the Peterborough Petes in the late 1960's and early 1970's, Neilson, a former high school teacher, was a pioneer in stressing the importance of education to all of his players.

Goaltender Danny Battachio of the Ottawa 67's won the Roger Nielson Memorial Award back-to-back in 2004-05 and 2005-06 followed by Derrick Bagshaw of the Erie Otters in 2006-07. Scott Aarssen of the London Knights won the award in 2007-08 with Tim Priamo of the Guelph Storm winning the award last season.

Christian Stevens of the Kitchener Rangers is a runner-up for the award carrying an 82% average while taking four courses at the University of Waterloo. Daniel Broussard of the Sarnia Sting finished in third with a 76% average while taking four courses through the University of Guelph.

Both Hamilton and Lanoue will be formally presented with their awards at the OHL Awards Ceremony June 9 in Toronto at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

2009-10 Roger Neilson Memorial Award Nominees:
Barrie – Matt Kennedy
Belleville – Shawn Lalonde
Brampton – Matt Clark
Erie – Dave Shields
Guelph – Cody St. Jacques
Kingston – Taylor Doherty
Kitchener – Christian Stevens
London – Garett Hunter
Mississauga – Ryan Lopes
Niagara – Alex Friesen
Oshawa – Jeff Brown
Ottawa – Corey Cowick*
Owen Sound – Michael McGurk
Peterborough – Adrian Robertson
Plymouth – Josh Bemis
Saginaw – Joe Underwood
Sarnia – Daniel Broussard
Sudbury – Kain Allicock
Sault Ste. Marie – Jake Carrick
Windsor – Derek Lanoue

*Two-time Roger Neilson Memorial Award nominee

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)