SUDBURY, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Friday its respective player, defenceman, goaltender and rookie of the month for December.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH – JAKE DESANDO, (F) HEARST LUMBERJACKS: In eight outings last month for the Lumberjacks, Desando’s efforts helped Hearst wrap-up 2018 with five consecutive victories and go 6-0-2 overall.
In all, during the time frame, the 19-year-old London, Ont., native scored four times, including a game-winner, and doled out seven assists for the surging Lumberjacks.
Entering 2019, Desando leads his club in scoring with 43 points, which also puts him in fifth spot in the entire league, on 17 markers and 26 helpers.
Honourable Mention: Brendan Young, (F) Blind River Beavers; Derek Seguin, (F) Timmins Rock
Monthly recipients
September: Cade Herd, (F) Powassan Voodoos
October: Derek Seguin, (F) Timmins Rock
November: Nick Smith, (F) Soo Thunderbirds
December: Jake Desando, (F) Hearst Lumberjacks
DEFENCEMAN OF THE MONTH – JOSH ANDERSON, (D) TIMMINS ROCK: Dressing in seven games in December for Timmins, Anderson amassed 10 points by scoring three times and helping set-up seven others.
The 19-year-old, who hails from Nestleton, Ont., was also consistently solid last month as he picked up at last one point in six of those seven contests, including four multi-point affairs.
Anderson’s efforts this season see him sitting second in offensive numbers among NOJHL defencemen with 31 points on seven goals and 24 assists.
Honourable Mention: Steven Bellini, (D) Soo Thunderbirds; Maxim Lacroix, (D) Hearst Lumberjacks
Monthly recipients
September: Steven Bellini, (D) Soo Thunderbirds
October: Steven Bellini, (D) Soo Thunderbirds
November: Alec Johnson, (D) Hearst Lumberjacks
December: Josh Anderson (D) Timmins Rock
GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH – WILLIAM ANDERSON, (G) SOO THUNDERBIRDS: Anderson concluded the final month of 2018 by making five appearances for the league-leading Thunderbirds where he picked up four wins and one shootout setback where he did not allow a goal against in regulation or overtime.
In all, the 18-year-old from Ottawa produced a 2.33 average along with a .928 save percentage for the month, including recording his first NOJHL shutout in a contest at Rayside-Balfour, which the Canadians took in extra shots after 65 minutes of play failed to produce a goal by both sides.
Anderson is 7-1-1 in his past nine appearances and is 11-3-1 overall in 15 games played with Sault Ste. Marie this season.
Honourable Mention: Nicholas Tallarico, (G) Hearst Lumberjacks; Bradley Dobson, (G) Cochrane Crunch
Monthly recipients
September: Gregory Brassard, (G) Kirkland Lake Gold Miners
October: Tyler Masternak, (G) Timmins Rock
November: Tyler Masternak, (G) Timmins Rock
December: William Anderson, (G) Soo Thunderbirds
ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – NOAH MINNS, (F) ELLIOT LAKE WILDCATS: First-year success in the NOJHL has come well for the 18-year-old from Baxter, Ont.
In December, Minns had four multi-point games and a one-assist night in total seven contests for Elliot Lake where he produced a pair of markers and eight assists for 10 points along the way.
Having only been held pointless for no more than two games at any portion of the season to date for the Wildcats, Minns leads his team in scoring with 29 points in 36 games played.
Those totals also place him second in NOJHL rookie numbers so far in 2018-19.
Honourable Mention: Trent Grimshaw, (F) Cochrane Crunch; Chase Lammi, (F) Espanola Express
Monthly recipients
September: Justin Mauro, (F) Blind River Beavers
October: Philippe Daoust, (F) French River Rapids
November: Philippe Daoust, (F) French River Rapids
December: Noah Minns, (F) Elliot Lake Wildcats
