THUNDER BAY —Lakehead Thunderwolves coach Andrew Wilkins said he knew Josh Van Unen was going to be good.
But not even Wilkins suspected he was signing the OUA West rookie of the year, when the Kamloops, B.C. native agreed to head to Thunder Bay to continue his hockey career.
Van Unen, who on Thursday found out he'd been named rookie of the year, put up nine goals and 20 points in 25 games for Lakehead in his freshman season, leading the T-Wolves into Saturday night's bronze-medal game at home against the Concordia Stingers, when they'll face OUA East rookie of the year and goaltender of the year Jocelyn Lemieux.
Wilkins was also honoured by the league, named the OUA West coach of the year, after leading the Thunderwolves back to prominence and thier first division title since 2008.
Lakehead finished atop the OUA West with an 18-6-3 mark, the Thunderwolves finishing third in goals per game and in the top half of the OUA defensively.
LU's Troy Williams also received some hardware, the veteran defender named the inaugural OUA West winner of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award, in part for his work supporting access to post-secondary education to those who face socio-economic barriers to continue their schooling.
Spencer Blackwell was also recognized for his spectacular sophomore season, named to the OUA West first all-star team. He finished with 12 goals and 26 points, second most on the Thunderwolves. Defenceman Kyle Auger was named a second-team all-star, while Van Unen and goaltender Christian Cicigoi were named to the OUA West all-rookie team.
The complete list of 2022-23 OUA men’s hockey award winners and all-stars is as follows:
- Most Valuable Player (East) – Simon Lafrance, UQTR Patriotes
- Most Valuable Player (West) – Jacob Roach, Brock Badgers
- Defenceman of the Year (East) – Justin Bergeron, UQTR Patriotes
- Defenceman of the Year (West) – Jake Gravelle, Western Mustangs
- Goaltender of the Year (East) – Jonathan Lemieux, Concordia Stingers
- Goaltender of the Year (West) – Nathan Torchia, Windsor Lancers
- Rookie of the Year (East) – Jonathan Lemieux, Concordia Stingers
- Rookie of the Year (West) – Josh Van Unen, Lakehead Thunderwolves
- Coach of the Year (East) – Marc-Étienne Hubert, UQTR Patriotes
- Coach of the Year (West) – Andrew Wilkins, Lakehead Thunderwolves
- Randy Gregg Award (East) – Duncan Campbell, Queen’s Gaels
- Randy Gregg Award (West) – Kyle Bollers, TMU Bold
- Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award (East) – Mikisiw Awashish, McGill Redbirds
- Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award (West) – Troy Williams, Lakehead Thunderwolves
- True Sport Award (East) – Scott Walford, McGill Redbirds
- True Sport Award (West) – Kyle Pettit, Western Mustangs
First Team All-Stars (East)
- F – Simon Lafrance, UQTR Patriotes
- F – Parker Aucoin, Carleton Ravens
- F – William Rouleau, McGill Redbirds
- D – Justin Bergeron, UQTR Patriotes
- D – Scott Walford, McGill Redbirds
- G – Jonathan Lemieux, Concordia Stingers
First-Team All-Stars (West)
- F – Jacob Roach, Brock Badgers
- F – Kyle Bollers, TMU Bold
- F – Spencer Blackwell, Lakehead Thunderwolves
- D – Jake Gravelle, Western Mustangs
- D – Cole Thiessen, Brock Badgers
- G – Nathan Torchia, Windsor Lancers
Second Team All-Stars (East)
- F – Julien Tessier, UQTR Patriotes
- F – Isiah Campbell, Concordia Stingers
- F – James White, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
- D – Jacob Paquette, Queen’s Gaels
- D – Kyle Havlena, Concordia Stingers
- G – Alexis Gravel, UQTR Patriotes
Second Team All-Stars (West)
- F – Franco Sproviero, Western Mustangs
- F – Dan Walker, Waterloo Warriors
- F – Anthony Stefano, Windsor Lancers
- D – Kyle Auger, Lakehead Thunderwolves
- D – Ryan Barbosa, Toronto Varsity Blues
- G – Christian Propp, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
All-Rookie Team (East)
- F – William Rouleau, McGill Redbirds
- F – Félix Lafrance, UQTR Patriotes
- F – Nick McCarry, Carleton Ravens
- D – Samuel Desgorseilliers, Concordia Stingers
- D – Maxime Blanchard, McGill Redbirds
- G – Jonathan Lemieux, Concordia Stingers
All-Rookie Team (West)
- F – Josh Van Unen, Lakehead Thunderwolves
- F – Anthony Tabak, Guelph Gryphons
- F – Connor Bowie, TMU Bold
- D – Eric Van Impe, Western Mustangs
- D – Colin Campbell, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
- G – Cristian Cicigoi, Lakehead Thunderwolves
