This week the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is announcing the recipients of the 2017-18 OHA Awards and today we are proud to announce the OHA Players of the Year for 2017-18. The OHA Junior C Player of the Year is Brock MacDonald, Lambeth Lancers (PJHL Yeck Division). (Photo: @SGLMedia)

OHA JUNIOR C PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Brock MacDonald, Lambeth Lancers (PJHL)
Brock MacDonald (London, Ontario) had a monster rookie season in 2017-18 for the Lambeth Lancers. MacDonald made the jump to Junior hockey from the London Jr. Knights AAA organization and the 5’9” 170 pound goaltender was simply unbeatable in the regular season, finishing with a perfect 20-0 regular season record, a 1.49 goals against average, astounding .956 save percentage and 7 shutouts. 

MacDonald led the entire PJHL in goals against average, save percentage and was tied for first in shutouts with Grimsby’s Riley Maskell who played 9 more games. MacDonald kept his perfect record intact until dropping one game in the Yeck Division Championship to the Dorchester Dolphins after winning his first 26 straight games in Junior. MacDonald and goaltending partner Zack Weir helped guide the Lancers to their first-ever Yeck Division Championship by beating the Dolphins and then defeated the Lakeshore Canadiens to claim the PJHL West Conference Championship, reaching the OHA Schmalz Cup Semifinals. 

In 10 playoff games through the end of the West Conference Championship, MacDonald was 9-1 with a 2.05 goals against average and .942 save percentage. The Lancers met up with the powerhouse Glanbrook Rangers in the OHA Schmalz Cup Semis and pushed the Rangers but came up short, losing the series 4-2 to the eventual Schmalz Cup Finalists. MacDonald was winless in two starts against the Rangers, despite a .944 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average against one of the top scoring teams in the PJHL.

After achieving the High School Award of Excellence - given to students who achieve a 90%+ average, MacDonald took last year off from school and is deciding between studying Engineering at Queen’s University or Western University in the Fall. During his time off he volunteered with the London Food Bank and Start2Finish Reading to help out in the community and gain some important experience. 

Brock MacDonald was a "diamond in the rough" find for the Lambeth Lancers in 2017-18 and never missed a practice or game; was always ready to go and wanting to improve his play. Lancers’ Coach Mike McFarlane said, “He is one of the hardest working goalies during practice that we have ever had.” McFarlane added, “He comes ready to play and win each and every time. His commitment to the team is undeniable. His quiet yet confident demeanor has led his team to many wins throughout the 2017-18 season. “ 

MacDonald was the Yeck Division Player of the Month for January and was named the PJHL Yeck Division All Star Goaltender. Brock MacDonald had a superb season in goal for the Lambeth Lancers and they felt very lucky that such a talented young man and goalie chose the Lancers to play his Junior C hockey.  

Recent Winners - OHA Junior C Player of the Year
2012-13 Aaron Armstrong, Wingham Ironmen
2013-14 Matt Fischer, Penetang Kings
2014-15 Terry Snodden, Little Britain Merchants
2015-16 Chris Haigh, Glanbrook Rangers
2016-17 Dillon Liberty, Dresden Kings

The remaining 2017-18 OHA Awards winners will be announced this week and recipients will formally receive their Awards at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Friday, June 1, 2018.

Monday: Officials Awards 
Tuesday: Top Prospects
Wednesday: Trainer & Coach of the Year Awards
Thursday: Players of the Year Awards (Sr. AAA, Jr. A, Jr. B, Jr. C)
Friday: BJ Monro and Donald Sanderson Awards