NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE
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TORONTO — The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Cole Brown of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Hunter Haight of the Barrie Colts, Nolan Lalonde of the Erie Otters and Ethan Hay of the Flint Firebirds have been named Academic Players of the Month for November.
Central Division: Barrie Colts centreman and top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Hunter Haight is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November.
Haight has yet to receive a grade below an 'A' to this point in his high school career. The Grade 12 student at Innisdale Secondary School recently completed a Personal Physical Fitness course while studying Advanced Functions, Personal Life Management and a High Performance Athlete Co-op program. By the end of the current semester, Haight will have completed all six of his University-level Grade 12 classes including Data Management, Calculus, Vectors, Advanced Functions and Physics.
"Hunter's scholastic ability is matched on the ice where he takes on a leadership role," said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. "He's clearly integral to his team's success and continues to excel away from the rink as well."
The 17-year-old Haight has posted 11 points (5-6--11) over 18 games in his rookie season, being assigned a 'B' rating on NHL Central Scouting's Players to Watch List. The Strathroy, Ont., product was Barrie's first round (9th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs U16 program.
East Division: Rookie forward Cole Brown of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the East Division Academic Player of the Month for November with a 92.5 percent average in Grade 11 studies at Ancaster High School.
Currently studying Grade 11 University-level Functions and Health for Life, Brown's teachers regularly comment on the amount of effort he puts into his homework and assignments.
"Cole enrolled in the maximum number of courses allowed in the new quadmester model and showed great resilience and perseverance in this accelerated format," said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson.
On the ice, the 16-year-old from Aurora, Ont. has four points (2-2--4) through his first nine games with the Bulldogs. He was selected with Hamilton's third round (43rd overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the York-Simcoe Express U16 program. He scored his first career OHL goal on Nov. 18th in Peterborough.
Midwest Division: Erie Otters goaltender Nolan Lalonde is the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November, excelling in his studies between Fairview High School and Blyth Academy.
Lalonde has taken on a heavy course-load that includes Grade 11 classes in English and Business in addition to Grade 12 Advanced Functions, English and Biology as well as Public Speaking.
"Nolan has a tremendous work ethic and has committed himself to being a true leader both in the classroom and on the ice," said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. "Nolan has adapted to the return to the classroom, his new home in Erie, and the pressures of his first OHL season while being a role model for his teammates."
The 17-year-old from Kingston, Ont. has appeared in 15 games this season, going 5-8-1-0 with a 3.72 goals-against average and .884 save percentage. Lalonde was assigned a 'C' rating on NHL Central Scouting's November Players to Watch List for the 2022 NHL Draft. He was Erie's third round (49th overall) selection from the Kingston Jr. Gaels U16 program in 2020.
West Division: Flint Firebirds rookie forward Ethan Hay is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November, recording an 88.4 percent average in Grade 11 studies through Grand Blanc High School and Blyth Academy.
Hay achieved a 97.2 percent average in Sociology, a 93 percent in English and a 75 percent in Mathematics, drawing high praise from his academic advisor.
"What has impressed me most about Ethan is his work ethic on and off the ice," said Kevin Keilitz. "When he comes to school he doesn't waste any time getting to his studies. Ethan was also a huge advocate of bringing a math tutor in to help with players who are struggling. There is no doubt in my mind that by the end of the semester his math grade will rise at least 10 percent."
A 16-year-old from Waterloo, Ont., Hay has four points (2-2--4) through his first 17 games with the Firebirds. He was chosen by Flint with their third round (46th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Waterloo Wolves U16 program. Hay scored his first career OHL goal on Nov. 5th in Kitchener.
2021-22 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
East Division:
November - Cole Brown (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October - Sam Alfano (Peterborough Petes)
Central Division:
November - Hunter Haight (Barrie Colts)
October - Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Midwest Division:
November - Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
October - Cal Uens (Owen Sound Attack)
West Division:
November - Ethan Hay (Flint Firebirds)
October - Bronson Ride (Windsor Spitfires)
A total of 343 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2020-21 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3.1 million. Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.
Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.
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