Strome Earns Six Honors in Eastern Conference Coaches Poll

Niagara Ice Dogs forward Ryan Strome led all Eastern Conference forwards as he earned six honors in the OHL Eastern Conference Coaches Poll, the results of which were announced last week.

Strome was named smartest player, best playmaker, best stickhandler and best shootout shooter. He also finished third in the hardest worker category, and second in most dangerous in the goal area.

Barrie’s Mark Scheifele also earned a number of honors. He was named most dangerous in goal area, claimed the best shot honors, and was second in the “best on face-offs” category. Finally, he was second behind Strome in the best shootout shooter category.

Sudbury’s Nick Baptiste was named Most Underrated Player, with Brampton’s Zach Bell and Kingston’s Henri Ikonen taking second and third. Oshawa’s Scott Sabourin earned Most Improved Player, with Anthony Camara and Mathew Campagna of Barrie and Sudbury earning the other spots in that category.

While Strome was named Smartest Player, Ottawa’s Sean Monahan claimed the second spot, while Mississauga’s Riley Brace came out third in voting for the Smartest Player category. Monahan also earned second in Best Playmaker votes, while Brace was third in that category.

Monahan also finished third in Best Stickhanlder votes and second in Best on Face-Offs.

Oshawa’s Boone Jenner claimed the Hardest Worker honor, which he also claimed at the end of the 2011-12 season. Sudbury’s Michael Kantor took second, while Strome was third. Jenner also earned Best on Face-Offs honors and came up second in Best Body-Checker.

Belleville’s Tyler Graovac earned several honors, including third in Most Dangerous in the Goal Area and second in Best Shot. Bulls captain Brendan Gaunce was named Best Defensive Forward, with Scott Laughton (Oshawa), Barclay Goodrow and Michael Kantor rounding out that category. Laughton also earned Best Penalty Killer.

Other highlights include Oshawa’s Lucas Lessio being named Best Skater and Niagara’s Brett Ritchie earning Hardest Shot. Lesso also came in third in Best Shot votes.

Brampton’s Cameron Wind was named Best Defensive Defenceman, while Belleville’s Malcolm Subban was named Best Puck-Handling Goalie after coming in third in that category last season. Subban was also named Best Shootout Goalie, an honor he also earned in the 2011-2012 season.