Sudbury Wolves goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been voted the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year.
The Finnish netminder was also voted the OHL Goaltender of the Year last month.
“Ukko had a remarkable and memorable season for the Sudbury Wolves in so many different ways,” said Sudbury Wolves VP Hockey Operations and General Manager, Rob Papineau.
“To be recognized by the OHL writers and media as the winner of the prestigious Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s most outstanding player is so deserving and outstanding for him. As the season went on, so many people would talk about how great of a goalie Ukko is, but this award is really special as it recognizes that he is in fact the most outstanding player in the OHL at any position. When you get to know him, Ukko really is the most outstanding player, goalie and person and he truly does deserve this great award."
The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League. First presented in 1945, the trophy is named in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II.
Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals.
Luukkonen becomes the sixth goaltender to win the award and the first member of the Wolves to be honoured in 40 years since Mike Foligno was the club’s first award recipient back in 1979. The Finnish netminder is also the first European import player to be recognized.
In 53 games, Ukko-Pekka had 38 wins in net and achieved a 2.50 Goals Against Average and a 0.920 save percentage. Luukkonen backstopped the Wolves to their most successful regular season since 1994-95.
In their crease he tied for the league lead with 38 wins and six shutouts while posting the OHL’s third best goals-against-average with a mark of 2.50 and the best save percentage at .920.
His GAA, SV%, and shutout total established new franchise records while his 38 wins are the second most in a single season in franchise history behind only Jim Bedard who won 40 games in 1975-76.
“I am so honoured to have been named the Red Tilson Award winner,” Luukkonen said.
“There are so many great players in the OHL who could have won this award and I am humbled to have been chosen. I want to thank the Sudbury Wolves organization for giving me a chance to play. I want to especially thank my teammates, owner Dario Zulich, GM Rob Papineau, and my coaches, including goaltender coach Alain Valiquette and trainer Dan Buckland, for everything they have done for me.”
