Players of the Month - Nov, 2016

The Greater Metro Junior 'A' Hockey League has announced the 'Players of the Month' for September of the 2016-2017 hockey season.

The 'Players of the Month' honors is a distinction awarded to the player who is adjudged the best at his position & rookie through each month of the season.

(All stats listed as of November 30th, 2016)

Forward - Manny Manns , Niagara Whalers

Manny Manns, the American born forward, is playing like a man determined for the first place Niagara Whalers. Manns is leading the team, and 7th league wide (5th in assists), in scoring with 53 points (17G, 36A) through the Whalers 22 games so far this year. The Lancaster, NY native also spent 2 years playing in the GOJHL prior to joining  Niagara at the end of last season where he was a point per game player at the Junior "B" level. Manns is hoping to lead the Whalers to a league title and his play is convincing that he just might.

Honorable mention to teammate Tyler Jackson, the Canadian from Wainfleet, ON also played in the GOJHL, spending 5 years in the loop including two with Manns. Jackson is currently 5th in the league in Goals and sitting just outside the top 10 in points with 45 on the season. The dynamic forward also had a brief stint with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League

Defenceman -Bryan Austin, Almaguin Spartans 

The third year Almaguin Spartans defencemen, and second year Captain, Bryan Austin has been performing at an elite level for three seasons now. The 6' Emsdale native is on a torrid pace to start the year, leading his club with 40 Points (8G, 32A) in 21 games and defensively keeping the Spartans in games with his physical play that has them plugged squarely in North Division contention for the second consecutive season.

Goaltender -Ryan Purcell, St. George Ravens

Ryan Purcell has been one of the most reliable goaltenders all season and is one of the rocks that St. George has been leaning on in net for the South Division Contender. Purcell is currently 7-2-0 in the 9 games he has played and is leading the league in Save Percentage with a .937 mark. Purcell is also 5th in the league in GAA (2.56) and the former Junior "C" star netminder is ready for any opponent willing to take shots on him on any given night.

Rookie - Lucas Lahay, South Muskoka Shield

The 1999 born Gravenhurst native, Lahay has been living every players dream this season playing for his local team and giving them a chance to win on any given night. The 17 year old has a 7-1-0 record in the 8 starts he has made this season and has been near perfect for the 4th place Shield. His stats are something that players years his senior have been unable to match, 2 Shutouts, a league leading 1.83 GAA and a Save percentage that is also in the top 10 (6th, .920).  The shield have found something special in their rookie net minder and he is only looking to get better.