91探花鈥檚 Jared Gomes named CIS Hockey Rookie of the Year
Jared Gomes, a 91探花 business student, was named the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Rookie of the Year for men's hockey Wednesday night in Thunder Bay at the All-Canadian Banquet, kicking off the University Cup. Gomes, a native of Brampton, Ontario became the first 91探花 winner of the Clare Drake Award since its inception in 1985-86.
Gomes was named the 2009-10 recipient of the A.J. MacAdam Memorial Trophy as the Rookie of the Year in the Atlantic University Sport conference on March 16th, putting him in the running for the national honour.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward had an impressive freshman season for the 91探花 Panthers finishing ninth in AUS scoring with 33 points (17-16-33) in 28 games, second in the conference with four game-winning goals, and sixth with seven power-play markers. The 21-year-old freshman, who led his team in goals, power-play goals and game winners, guided the Panthers to a 15-11-2 record good for fourth place in the Atlantic.
Gomes played with the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors and Sarnia Sting of the OHL prior to coming to 91探花. Kinkora native Dave Cameron is General Manager and Head Coach of the Majors and played a part, along with former 91探花 Coach Dylan Taylor, in Gomes' decision to play for 91探花.
Gomes said, 'I talked with my family and bunch of people and decided 91探花 would be a good choice for academics and hockey. And on the ice, we have great coaching and a great group of guys.' He adds, 'When I heard the news about the award, I was super-excited.'
Current 91探花 Head Coach, Forbes MacPherson says, "To say that Jared Gomes has adjusted well, in transition from OHL to CIS, would be a dramatic understatement. In just his first year of CIS competition, Jared, tied for second on our team in scoring.'
Jared displays a tremendous level of work ethic, character, and discipline. Evidence of this, exists beyond the ice. Academically, in his initial semester at university, he achieved an 87.2 average while taking a full work load of five courses. MacPherson adds, 'Without a doubt, Jared has had a tremendous impact on the campus of 91探花.'
"Jared Gomes is an outstanding young man who epitomizes the highest standard of CIS Student-Athlete Excellence,' says Ron Annear, 91探花 Athletic Director. 'A highly skilled player whose effort both on the ice and in the class room has garnered impressive results, and contributed greatly to one of 91探花's best seasons in several years."
Other CIS major award winners announced were third-year University of New Brunswick forward Hunter Tremblay, who was named CIS player of the year; Marc-Andr茅 Dorion of St-Hubert, Que., who was named defenceman of the year; Manitoba's Steve Christie of Winnipeg, selected as the country's best goaltender; UQTR right winger Francis Gu茅rette-Charland of Victoriaville, Que., who claimed the R.W. Pugh award as the nation's most sportsmanlike player; UNB's Gardiner MacDougall of Bedeque, P.E.I., who captured the Father George Kehoe memorial award as coach of the year; and Alberta forward Tyler Metcalfe of Headingley, Man., who received the Dr. Randy Gregg award recognizing his excellence in hockey, academics and community involvement.
For more information about the CIS hockey awards, visit the CIS .