The Brock Badgers men's hockey team was well represented when Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced award winners and all-stars on Thursday, March 6, earning five of the eight major awards in the West Division.
Overall, seven Badgers were featured in the major awards and all-star selections, setting a new program record.
For the second consecutive year, Jacob Roach has been named the OUA West Most Valuable Player and an OUA West First Team All-Star. The Brooklin, Ont product finished fourth in the OUA and 10th in the country in points with 40. His 24 assists tied him for second in the province with Kyle Bollers from TMU. The Badgers' leading scorer helped the team finish fifth in the province in goals per game (GPG) with 3.79. Last season, Roach also earned a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian nod, and in the 2021-22 season, he was named on to the OUA All-Rookie team.
"Jacob drives the play and brings passion to every game," said head coach TJ Manastersky. "His impact is undeniable especially considering he is always matched up against our opponents top D pair and shut down lines."
Collecting two major awards, first-year Connor Ungar took the league by storm, as he was named both the OUA West Goaltender of the Year and OUA West Rookie of the Year. On top of that, the Calgary product also earned a spot on the OUA West First Team and the OUA West All-Rookie Team. Ungar set a program record with 20 regular season wins, placing him first in the OUA and U SPORTS in that category. His 2.15 goals against average (GAA) and .932 save percentage (SV%) were both fourth in the province during the regular season, with his SV% placing him fifth in the country.
"Connor is professional in his preparation and development," said Manastersky. "Having a committed player who performs at such a high level puts pressure on our opponents every game.
Connor Ungar earned with a program record 20 wins in his rookie campaign with the Badgers. (Jayson Childs)
Joining Ungar as part of one of the OUA's stingiest defences is Zach Taylor. The junior defenceman finished fifth among his position group in points with 23. His seven goals tied him for fourth among all OUA defencemen, with one of his most critical of the year coming on Oct. 7 when he scored the game-winner in overtime to defeat the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
Taylor nabs the OUA West Defenceman of the Year award as well as a OUA West First Team All-Star Selection.
"He is a calm and composed hockey player who can assert himself at the right moment," said Manastersky about Taylor. "His ability to create offence at even strength and on the power play sets him apart."
Manastersky rounds out the West Division major award winners as he earns his first Coach of the Year award. Brock has not missed the playoffs in the Manastersky's first two seasons with the team. Under his guidance, the Badgers earned a program-best 21 wins during the regular season and a first-place finish in the OUA West Division.
"I'm proud to accept the Coach of the Year award for our team. All personal accolades received by members of our team, including me, are due to our team's success." Manastersky reflected. "A Coach of the Year Award can only happen with a committed coaching and support staff as well as a team of players that perform at a national level, so Rob Bentivegna, Ryan Hunter, Nate Mitton and Ryan Ludzik are all winning this with me."
Junior forward Tyler Burnie earns his first all-star selection. The Washago, Ont product tied for seventh in the province in goals with 16, making an appearance on the OUA West Second Team. Burnie tied Roach for the team lead in goals and his 33 points places him second among all Brock scorers.
"He plays with a tremendous motor and is willing to do the hard work in the tough areas," Manastersky said about Burnie. "Combined with his ability to produce offence, he is a force on the ice."
Two more Badgers were recognized on Thursday as Jonah Boria and Riley Gannon join Ungar on the OUA West All-Rookie team.
Boria made an impact early, finishing fifth on the Badgers in points (20) as a first-year defenceman. His 17 assists tied him with Burnie and Jared Marino for second on the team,
"Jonah is electric on the ice," said Manatersky. "He has the rare ability to skate the puck end-to-end and can use his skill set to defend as well."
Gannon is a first-year forward who finished tied for sixth on the team in scoring with six goals, finishing with 13 points overall.
"He has consistently improved his game all season adjusting to our level," said Manastersky about Gannon. "He is an exciting and well-rounded player with a bright future."
The complete list of 2023-24 OUA men's hockey award winners and all-stars is as follows:
Most Valuable Player (East) – Simon Lafrance, UQTR
Most Valuable Player (West) – Jacob Roach, Brock
Defenceman of the Year (East) – David Noel, UQTR
Defenceman of the Year (West) – Zach Taylor, Brock
Goaltender of the Year (East) – Francesco Lapenna, Ottawa
Goaltender of the Year (West) – Connor Ungar, Brock
Rookie of the Year (East) – Francesco Lapenna, Ottawa
Rookie of the Year (West) – Connor Ungar, Brock
Coach of the Year (East) – David Urquhart, McGill
Coach of the Year (West) – TJ Manastersky, Brock
Randy Gregg Award (East) – Alexandre Gagnon, McGill
Randy Gregg Award (West) – Cole Purboo, Toronto
Champion of EDI Award (West) – Amanda Stefanile, Lakehead
True Sport Award (East) – Scott Walford, McGill
True Sport Award (West) – Chris Playfair, TMU
First Team All-Stars (East)
F – Simon Lafrance, UQTR
F – William Rouleau, McGill
F – Dalton Duhart, Queen's
D – David Noel, UQTR
D – Scott Walford, McGill
G – Francesco Lapenna, Ottawa
First Team All-Stars (West)
F – Jacob Roach, Brock
F – Kyle Bollers, TMU
F – Nick Wong, Toronto
D – Zach Taylor, Brock
D – Holden Wale, Windsor
G – Connor Ungar, Brock
Second Team All-Stars (East)
F – Luka Verreault, Ottawa
F – Jonathan Yantsis, Queen's
F – Eric Uba, McGill
D – Sean Larochelle, Concordia
D – Jacob Paquette, Queen's
G – Alexis Gravel, UQTR
Second Team All-Stars (West)
F – Harrison Caines, Nipissing
F – Jake Durham, Windsor
F – Tyler Burnie, Brock
D – Aaron Hyman, TMU
D – Colin Van Den Hurk, Lakehead
G – Kai Edmonds, TMU
All-Rookie Team (East)
F – Luka Verreault, Ottawa
F – Pier-Olivier Roy, UQTR
F – Derek Hamilton, Queen's
D – Edouard Cournoyer, UQTR
D – Nolan Seed, Carleton
G – Francesco Lapenna, Ottawa
All-Rookie Team (West)
F – Nick DeGrazia, Lakehead
F – Riley Gannon, Brock
F – Daniil Grigorev, TMU
D – Jonah Boria, Brock
D – Isaac Sookal, Wilfrid Laurier
G – Connor Ungar, Brock
