Junior Ontario Hockey

Ostropolec best in Ontario

Almost two months after the Chatham Maroons' season ended, goalie Mike Ostropolec collected his biggest win.

The 21-year-old from Chatham has been chosen the Ontario Hockey Association junior 'B' player of the year.

"It's quite the honour," Maroons head coach and general manager Marc Swayze said. "He should be very proud of himself.

"He did a fantastic job for the hockey club and the community this year."

The awa rd recognizes Ostropolec's stellar season in net and his volunteer work in Chatham-Kent.

Ostropolec didn't expect another award after being named the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League's Western Conference player of the year in February. He was also chosen a first-team all-star.

"I thought that was it," he said. "I won it for the league and I didn't hear anything. To hear I won it for junior 'B' in Ontario, that's something else.

"I'm proud to say I won the award."

He'll be honoured during the annual OHA awards ceremony Friday, June 11, in Toronto at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Ostropolec set career-highs this season in goals-against average (2.99), wins (27), save percentage (.914) and shutouts (two) in the regular season.

He helped the Maroons to a third-place finish in the Western Conference.

"Mike was a big leader on and off the ice," Swayze said. "The kids had such confidence with him in net. They knew when he was in net, they'd have a chance to win."

Ostropolec had a 3.60 GAA, .894 save percentage and 6-7 record in the playoffs.

The Maroons lost a six-game conference semifinal to the LaSalle Vipers, who went on to win the Sutherland Cup.

"It would have been nice to get the championship, that's for sure," Ostropolec said, "but I'm happy getting the award. It's something I've never gotten playing hockey. That's a big thing for myself."

Ostropolec played four seasons with his hometown team.

He was a popular leader with his teammates, Swayze said. He set a good example by treating rookies with the same consideration as veterans.

"He treated everybody the same and with the same amount of respect he'd want to be treated with," said the Maroons coach.

Ostropolec is too old to return to the Maroons. He isn't sure where he'll play next season, but he's in talks with schools in the United States and Canada.