Timmins Rock forwards Lucas Lowe (left) and Ryan Armitage pose with the Ray ‘Thibaudeau’ Auclair Trophy on Tuesday at McIntyre Arena. Lowe (who won the award in 2024) helped honour Armitage, this year’s recipient. Photo by Andrew Autio/The Daily Press
‘He is the hard-hat of this team’ says Ray Auclair
Andrew Autio
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
Veteran Timmins Rock forward Ryan Armitage is this year’s recipient of the Ray ‘Thibaudeau’ Auclair Trophy.
The award is presented annually by die-hard hockey fan Ray Auclair to the team’s most spirited player, also described as the ‘best mucker, grinder, and digger’, and an unsung hero.
Armitage, a Timmins native, is in his third full season with the Rock. He has played in 139 regular season games, and 25 playoff games in his NOJHL career.
This season, Armitage has played in 42 games, scoring 9 goals and adding 12 assists, while also playing an important defensive role and in penalty killing situations.
At a short ceremony held before team practice on Tuesday afternoon at McIntyre Arena, Auclair presented the trophy for the ninth time.
Armitage was very appreciative of the honour.
“It feels great. Its a game I play with lots of passion, and lots of heart, so to get an award this big, it means everything to me,” he said.
“It means everything I do is paying off, and I love doing it for the community, the team, friends, and family, so it means a lot.”
Being a now 20 year old veteran, he has seen the award handed out in previous years, including to current teammate Lucas Lowe in 2024.
“Yeah, its guys that I looked up to, and growing up, and playing with. I still remember watching the Timmins Rock as a kid, hoping I could play there one day, and to get this award is pretty special.”
Auclair told The Daily Press why Armitage was his selection this season.
“I’ve been watching Ryan since his days with the Timmins Majors, and now with the Rock, and he is exactly that – a grinder, mucker, and a digger,” he said.
“He is not a goal scorer, but will score the odd goal here and there, but all the grinding along the boards, blocking shots. Don’t mess with his linemates, he will protect them. He is the hard-hat of this team. Goal scorers get recognized by all the fans, but the way he plays – every coach wants that type of player on his team.”
In addition to getting a year with the impressive trophy, Armitage received a framed customized poem written by Lori Bertrand.
