NOJHL announces first and second team all-stars

Press Release

SUDBURY, ON – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Monday their respective first and second all-star teams for the 2011-12 season.

NOJHL 1ST ALL-STAR TEAM

GOALTENDER: JOHN KLEINHANS, SOO THUNDERBIRDS—The Thunderbirds netminder led the NOJHL in goal-against average (2.86), save percentage (.912), wins (26) and shutouts (5).

DEFENCE: COREY JACKSON, SOO THUNDERBIRDS— Named top defenseman in the league this season, Jackson registered a career-high in goals, assists and points with 11, 25 and 36 respectively. He paced all defensemen on his team in offensive production.

DEFENCE: CORY SELLERS, NORTH BAY TRAPPERS—The 20-year-old blueliner helped anchor the Trappers defensive corps while also picking up 26 points in 48 games, including five goals.

CENTRE: JAMIE HAINES, SUDBURY CUBS—The Sudbury forward finished third in NOJHL scoring with 107 points. His 68 assists were the second most in the league. Haines led all skaters in game-winning goals with nine.

LEFT WING: JORDAN CARROLL, SUDBURY CUBS—The NOJHL most valuable player was a force all season long. His 136 points were the most the NOJHL has seen in 20 years. He led the entire 133-team Canadian Junior Hockey League in goals with 70. Carroll established new team single season records in goals, assists and points and had a 41-game point streak to finish the season.

RIGHT WING: MICKY SARTORETTO, SOO THUNDERBIRDS—Paced the Thunderbirds offensively with 97 points, which was the fourth highest total in the league. 20-year-old Sault Ste. Marie product finished in the top 10 in power play goals with 10 and game-winners with seven.

COACH: TOM MCCARTHY, NORTH BAY TRAPPERS—NOJHL coach of the year led the Trappers to a league-best seven-win improvement in his first season at the helm in North Bay.

MANAGER: KEVIN CAIN, SOO THUNDERBIRDS—Built and managed the team that won a second consecutive NOJHL regular season crown and was ranked 8th nationally in the final CJHL top 20 rankings.

TRAINER: JIM WHALEN, SUDBURY CUBS—Recognized for his efforts and dedication on the Cubs’ staff.

NOJHL 2ND ALL-STAR TEAM

GOALTENDER: KEN APPLEBY, KIRKLAND LAKE GOLD MINERS—Rookie netminder was one of the youngest players in the entire league. Appleby represented the NOJHL at the Central Canada All-Star Challenge.

DEFENCE: DEREK DIAZ, SOO EAGLES—Named a league all-star for a second straight season he is the only player in the NOJHL to do so. The 20-year-old rearguard racked up 43 points in just 40 games for the Eagles, which was a career high.

DEFENCE: DJORDJE LEPOSAVIC, NORTH BAY TRAPPERS—The New Westminster, B.C. product had 32 points in 43 games for North Bay and registered nine multiple-point games for the Trappers.

CENTRE: GREG SARTORETTO, SOO THUNDERBIRDS—Versatile Thunderbirds centre had 17 goals and 23 assists during the course of the regular season. The 19-year-old local product set career marks in tallies, helpers and point during the campaign.

LEFT WING: MATT AMADIO, SOO THUNDERBIRDS—The 20-year-old winger amassed 78 points, including 30 goals, to finish eighth overall in NOJHL offensive production and had 24 multiple-point outings for the T-Birds.

RIGHT WING: MARC-ALAIN BEGIN, ABITIBI ESKIMOS—Finished the regular season with 123 points in just 39 games he led the league in point-per-game average at 3.15. Begin topped the NOJHL in assists with 92, which was the highest total in the entire CJHL.

COACH: PAUL GAGNE, ABITIBI ESKIMOS—Veteran Abitibi bench boss earns an all-star coaching nod for a third time in five seasons for his efforts guiding the Eskimos.

MANAGER: PAUL GAGNE, ABITIBI ESKIMOS—Honoured for a third time in five years for his efforts building and managing the Eskis.

TRAINER: ROGER GAGNE, ABITIBI ESKIMOS—This marks his second season in a row earning all-star recognition.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)