COCHRANE, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday evening that Connor Lovie of the Cochrane Crunch has been named recipient of the NOJHL Playoff Most Valuable Player award.
The Cochrane captain earned the accolades after helping lead the Crunch to their first-ever NOJHL championship Tuesday as the defeated the Rayside-Balfour Canadians 2-1 in double overtime at Tim Horton Event Centre to claim the Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy in six exciting games, including three that required OT.
In 16 postseason contests, Lovie averaged a point-per-game for his side as he scored three times and assisted on 13 others.
His totals saw him lead all NOJHL defencemen in playoff scoring as well as finish third overall among all league skaters.
The 20-year-old London, Ont., product capped off a tremendous NOJHL campaign after earlier winning the league’s regular season MVP and top defenceman laurels.
Lovie was also named a NOJHL CCM Hockey first team all-star on defence.
He and his Cochrane teammates will now head to Dryden, Ont., to compete in the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Jr. A Championship, May 1-5.
The DHC winner advances to the RBC Cup Canadian Jr. A Championship, May 12-20 in Chilliwack, B.C.
