The Greater Metro Junior “A” Hockey League has announced the final Players of the Month for the January/February portion of the 2025-2026 regular season schedule, recognizing the top performers at each position as the regular season concluded and the postseason officially began.

 

The Players of the Month honor is awarded to the player judged to be the best at his position through the month, along with the top rookie (2008 born or younger and in his first year of junior hockey). With playoff positioning decided in the final weeks, these four players elevated their teams when it mattered most.

 

Previous Winners:

September/October: F Isac Karlsson, Bradford Rattlers

November: F Zennon Edwards, Northumberland Stars

December: F Tristan Miron, Northumberland Stars

No player made a bigger second-half statement than Tighe Frazee.

 

Acquired by the Bradford Rattlers at the trade deadline, Frazee exploded offensively down the stretch, recording 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points in just 12 games between January and February. All but one of those performances came after his acquisition — his only production prior to the move being a two-goal outing against Durham on January 3rd.

 

From the moment he arrived in Bradford, Frazee became a difference-maker. His speed, compete level, and scoring touch added another dynamic layer to an already dangerous Rattlers lineup. A breakout performer in last year’s postseason, he once again looks poised to be a major playoff factor.

 

Frazee’s impact was recognized across the division as he was named the North Division Heart Award winner and finished as 1st Runner-Up for Best Forward, trailing only teammate Isac Karlsson in voting.

Veteran Predators defenseman and Assistant Captain Nick Savoie delivered a composed and critical performance in the final stretch of his junior career.

 

The 2004-born blueliner helped Niagara post a 5-5-2 record in January and February — earning precisely enough points to finish one point ahead of North York and secure the #3 seed in the South Division.

 

Savoie provided steady puck movement, offensive support, and veteran leadership from the back end. His timely contributions included a multi-point performance in an 8-0 victory on January 30th, along with consistent production in tight contests and overtime games that proved crucial in the standings.

 

Earlier in the year, Savoie was also named 1st Runner-Up for South Division Best Defenseman, finishing just behind December Defenseman of the Month Eric Stephenson.

 

Now in his final season of junior hockey, Savoie will continue his career next year at NCAA Division III Hiram College, bringing with him a reputation as a reliable two-way defenseman who delivered when the stakes were highest.

 

Previous Winners:

September/October: G Brody Pritchard, Wasaga River Dragons

November: Vladimir Vovchuk, North York Renegades

December: Patrik Cullin, Bradford Rattlers

For the second consecutive month, the Goaltender of the Month award belongs to Patrik Cullin.

 

Cullin was a perfect 9-0-0 in January and February, with two additional no-decisions in relief appearances. Even more remarkably, he has not taken a true loss since October 14th, a span of over four months without surrendering a decisive game-winning goal.

 

In the final two months of the regular season, Cullin posted a .934 save percentage and a 1.92 goals-against average, consistently answering the call in high-pressure moments. He closed the season as the league leader in goals-against average at 2.36, underscoring his consistency in a high-scoring league environment.

 

Though he was notably left off the final Goalie of the Year ballot, Cullin’s performance left little doubt that he was among the GMHL’s elite netminders this season. As the playoffs begin, Bradford does so anchored by a goaltender who enters the postseason in peak form.

 

Previous Winners:

September/October: F German Gerasimov, Durham Roadrunners

November: F Sergey Tsarev, Bradford Rattlers

December: F German Gerasimov, Durham Roadrunners

For a third time this season — a GMHL single-season Players of the Month record — German Gerasimov has been named Rookie of the Month.

 

Despite being surprisingly omitted from the South Division Rookie of the Year finalist list, no rookie in the division had a greater impact. The 2008-born forward led the #2 seeded Durham Roadrunners in both points and assists, finishing the regular season 9th league-wide in scoring and 5th in the South Division.

 

Durham went an outstanding 12-1-0 in January and February, including a dominant 10-3 win over league-leading Northumberland on January 30th. Over that 13-game span, Gerasimov recorded 5 goals and 21 assists for 26 points, serving as the offensive catalyst for one of the hottest teams entering the postseason.

 

At just 17 years old, Gerasimov has not only set a new standard for rookie recognition this season but has positioned himself as a central figure in Durham’s playoff ambitions.

 

As the regular season closes and the Russell Cup chase begins, Frazee, Savoie, Cullin, and Gerasimov enter the postseason in exceptional form — each having proven down the stretch that when the pressure rises, so too does their game.