CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday the five goaltenders that have been selected finalists for the CJHL’s Top Goaltender Award for the 2021-22 campaign.
Each of the finalists were determined through a voting process completed by the CJHL’s nine-member leagues, for their respective contributions over the course of the regular season.
The following are the five nominees for the CJHL’s Top Rookie, which are listed alphabetically, by league:
KOLBY THORNTON, (G) LLOYDMINSTER BOBCATS (AJHL): Thornton was the recipient of the Friends of AJHL Trophy as the Top Goaltender for the 2021-22 season. “¦ This annual award is presented to the league goalkeeper who demonstrated the greatest ability in his position throughout the season. “¦ Thornton led the AJHL in minutes played (2,515) and games played (43), recorded the most saves of all AJHL goaltenders (1,387), and was tied for second in wins (26). “¦ The 20-year-old posted a regular season record of 26-13-2 and a .913 save percentage, ranking fourth overall in the AJHL. “¦ Thornton, who hails from Winnipeg, Man., was also a finalist for the 2021-22 AJHL MVP award in what was his first full season with the Bobcats.
With files from: Charla Flett, V.P., Communications (AJHL)
REECE PROULX, (G) PEMBROKE LUMBER KINGS (CCHL): A major reason, night in and night out, for the success of the Pembroke Lumber Kings, Proulx has been a standout in the CCHL since he came into the league. “¦ On the season, the North Bay, Ont., product led the CCHL in save percentage (.930) and tied for top spot in shutouts (3). “¦ He also sat third in goals-against average (2.26) while facing over 1,100 shots fired his way. “¦ Any time Proux was between the posts, the Lumber Kings knew they had a chance for success. “¦ He also earned a roster spot to represent Team East at the 2020 CJHL Prospects Game. “¦ Season statistics: GP: 35; W: 18; SV%: .930; GAA: 2.26; SO: 3.
With files from Sean Marcellus, Director of Operations (CCHL)
NOAH METIVIER, (G) SOO THUNDERBIRDS (NOJHL): Making 27 appearances for his hometown Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Metivier boasted a league-best goals-against average of 1.88. … The 18-year-old goalkeeper also led all NOJHL netminders in save percentage, at .922, and tied for the overall lead in shutouts with six. … Sporting a 20-3-2-2 record this season, Metivier entered the postseason having won each of his final nine starts and had not allowed a goal-against in his final 203 minutes and 20 seconds of game play. … Metivier was selected a NOJHL 1st Team All-Star at the goaltending position. “¦ He also helped the Thunderbirds earn the league’s Team Goaltending Award for the fewest goals allowed by a member club at just 101 during the course of the regular season in 2021-22. “¦ That number was 23 fewer than their nearest competitor in that category. “¦ His 50 tallies against were the fewest of any NOJHL goaltender seeing 20, or more, games in net.
With files from: Scott Marshall, Statistician/Webmaster (NOJHL)
JAMES GRAY, (G) NORTH YORK RANGERS (OJHL): The second-year netminder simply dominated the leaderboard for goaltenders in the 21-team Ontario Junior Hockey League across every category that mattered during the 2021-22 season: Most wins: 25 (three-way tie for first) – Goals-against average: 1.96 (first) – Save percentage: .931 (three-way tie for first). “¦ No other netminder finished tops in two of the categories, let alone three. “¦ Gray started strong and never looked back. “¦ He was the OJHL Warrior Goaltender of the Month for October, which was the opening month of the OJ’s schedule this season. “¦ Gray was 7-1-1 during the month, posting a 1.83 goals-against average with a .938 save percentage. “¦ On the season, Gray had three shutouts while making 958 saves, playing 36 of the Rangers’ 54 games. “¦ “Every single game, no matter how we were playing, you knew we had an opportunity to win the game when he’s in net,” said North York Head Coach Geoff Schomogyi. “It’s very rare that he had an off night and it’s’ a luxury as a team to have a netminder back there who can bail you out. And James did that several times for us this season.” “¦ Gray joined the Rangers two years ago after helping the Toronto Young Nationals AAA U18 squad win the TELUS Cup national championship.
With files from Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL)
RAYCE RAMSAY, (G) HUMBOLDT BRONCOS (SJHL): The commitment to the University of Toronto (USPORTS/OUA) continues to add to his accolades after his remarkable season yielded an SJHL single-campaign record 41 wins, a feat the Saskatoon native was able to accomplish in 50 starts. “¦ Ramsay’s goals-against average of 1.98 and save percentage of .930 were tops in the league among true starters, and his minutes played were a full 388 more than his closest competitor. “¦ A 2001-born goaltender, Ramsay broke into the league as a 17-year-old with the Broncos in the 2018-19 SJHL season and would parlay that earned spot into a full season in the Western Hockey League in 2019-20 with the Kamloops Blazers. “¦ The now-21-year-old elected to return to Humboldt for his final junior season and did not skip a beat, helping to lead Humboldt to the No. 2 seed in the league and a Top 20 CJHL ranking throughout the campaign.
With files from Logan Fraser, Director of Marketing & Communications (SJHL)
Earning honourable mention status for the CJHL Top Goaltender Award in 2021-22 were the following:
William Gagné, (G) Condors du Cégep Beauce-Appalaches (LHJAAAQ); Carson Cherepak, (G) Dauphin Kings (MJHL); Mavrick Goyer, (G) Truro Bearcats (MHL) & Austin Madge, (G) Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL).