The Greater Metro Junior 'A' Hockey League has announced the first 'Players of the Month' of the year for October of this 2023-2024 hockey season.

The 'Players of the Month' honors is a distinction awarded to the player who is adjudged the best at his position & rookie (born 2006 and later and maintains rookie eligibility) through each month of the season.

(All stats listed as of November 2^nd, 2023)

Forward – Christopher Rende, North York Renegades

Third year Renegades forward Christopher Rende is scoring at an elite clip this season, leading the league with 37 points (almost 10 more than second place Alexandre Dubuc with 28) in 11 games for the 1^st place in the GMHL Renegades. Rende leads the league in assists and is second in the league in goals with 22 and 15 respectively. The 04 forward from Vaughan is already close to matching his rookie season total of 42 points and is on pace to smash his career high of 64 last season, currently trending towards 141 points on the year. The Renegades are looking to add that elusive Russell Cup to the trophy case this year and if they do then Rende will be a major factor as to why.

Defenceman – Etienne Bourque,

Reigning GMHL North Division Defenseman of the Year Etienne Bourque has been the top defenseman in the league when looking at an overall game all season so far. Not only is the second year Ville-Marie blue liner providing steady defensive play night after night for the 9-1-1 second place Pirates he is also providing top level offense from the back end leading the GMHL in scoring amongst defenseman with 23 Points (4G, 19A) in just his 9 games so far. The 2002 born Bourque’s 2.56 Points per game is 3^rd in the entire league regardless of position. Prior to joining the Pirates Bourque was with Cégep de L'Abitibi-Témiscamingue after playing 3 seasons of minor with Amos and Rouyn-Noranda.

Goaltender – Nick Gagne, North York Renegades
If you look at the top of this year’s goalie statistical leaders, near or at the top of almost every category you will find the same name, Nick Gagne. 2002 born Gagne has answered the call for the 1^st place Renegades almost every chance he has gotten. He is 5-1-0 on the season (3^rd in the league and 2^nd in the division for wins) with his lone defeat coming in overtime at the hands of the 2^nd place Roadrunners. Gagne is the league leader in Save Percentage (.947) and Goals Against Average (GAA) the only goalie in the league with a sub 2 (1.63 GAA)

Rookie – Zachary Major, West Nipissing Lynx

Major has been a huge revelation for this years West Nipissing team and is a large part of why the Lynx are battling for a top 4 spot in the North Division and competing in games against the top 3 teams. Major this season leads all rookie eligible players with 20 points (2G, 18A) in 13 games this season, 8 points ahead of the next highest scoring rookie and only 3 points behind Bourque for the lead amongst Defenseman scoring. Major sits 20^th in the entire league with his scoring output and is well on his way to being in consideration for rookie of the year come season end. Prior to joining the Lynx Major played for the North Bay Trappers AAA program while also receiving a call up to the Powassan Voodoos of the NOJHL.