The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) has recognized four standout players for their exceptional performances in January. Owen King (Blind River Beavers), Alexandre Valade (Greater Sudbury Cubs), James Meredith (Espanola Paper Kings), and Jordan Mayo (Iroquois Falls Storm) have been named BrokerLink Insurance Forward, Defenceman, Goaltender, and Rookie of the Month, respectively.
FORWARD OF THE MONTH: OWEN KING (BLIND RIVER BEAVERS)
If there’s one word to describe Owen King’s January, it’s unstoppable. The 18-year-old sniper from Cambridge, Ont., dominated the scoresheet, leading the league with 11 goals and tying for the highest point total with 15.
Averaging nearly a goal per game this season (35 in 38 games), King sits second in the league in goal scoring and has cracked the Top 5 in overall points with 51. His clutch play is undeniable, as his nine game-winning goals are just one shy of the league lead.
Honourable Mentions: DonHeaven Veilleux (Hearst Lumberjacks), Mason Walker (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
Previous Monthly Winners:
September: Brant Romaniuk (Timmins Rock)
October: Lucas Signoretti (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
November: Samuel Assinewai (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
December: Lucas Signoretti (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
January: Owen King (Blind River Beavers)
DEFENCEMAN OF THE MONTH: ALEXANDRE VALADE (GREATER SUDBURY CUBS)
With the Cubs missing key defensive players due to injury, Alexandre Valade stepped up in a big way. The 17-year-old blueliner played a crucial role in keeping Greater Sudbury atop the standings, contributing two goals and seven assists in eight games.
Valade enters February tied for the top spot in rookie scoring among defencemen with 25 points, while his seven goals lead all first-year D-men. His ability to generate offense from the back end has made him a key piece in the Cubs’ championship aspirations.
Honourable Mentions: A.J. Saadeh (Blind River Beavers), Cole Wreggitt (Soo Eagles)
Previous Monthly Winners:
September: Bryan Fenlon (Soo Thunderbirds)
October: Luke Hill (Espanola Paper Kings)
November: Adam Shillinglaw (Hearst Lumberjacks)
December: Mason Chitaroni (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
January: Alexandre Valade (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH: JAMES MEREDITH (ESPANOLA PAPER KINGS)
A brick wall in net, James Meredith stood tall for Espanola in January, helping his squad climb back into playoff contention. The 17-year-old from Vaughan, Ont., posted a stellar .941 save percentage while picking up four wins—tying for the league lead.
Meredith set the tone for 2025 with a shutout in his first start of the new year, making 34 saves against the Soo Thunderbirds. His most jaw-dropping performance? A heroic 57-save victory against the first-place Greater Sudbury Cubs, snapping their incredible 20-game winning streak.
Honourable Mentions: Connor Dunham-Fox (Blind River Beavers), Karsen Chartier (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
Previous Monthly Winners:
September: Connor Dunham-Fox (Blind River Beavers)
October: Noah Beaulne (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
November: Dryden Riley (Timmins Rock)
December: Jace Knoerle (Soo Eagles)
January: James Meredith (Espanola Paper Kings)
ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: JORDAN MAYO (IROQUOIS FALLS STORM)
The Iroquois Falls Storm have found a rising star in Jordan Mayo. The 16-year-old Kingston native delivered a standout month, racking up nine goals—second most in the NOJHL—and tying for the overall league lead in points with 15.
Mayo was a model of consistency, recording six multi-point performances in January. His strong play has propelled him into the Top 5 among rookie scorers with 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) in 41 games.
Honourable Mentions: Kaden Wicklander (Espanola Paper Kings), Alex Povorozniouk (Soo Eagles)
Previous Monthly Winners:
September: Mason Walker (Greater Sudbury Cubs)
October: Alex Povorozniouk (Soo Eagles)
November: Reece Liu (Timmins Rock)
December: Alex Povorozniouk (Soo Eagles)
January: Jordan Mayo (Iroquois Falls Storm)
As the season heats up, these players continue to make their mark on the NOJHL. Keep an eye on them as they push toward the playoffs! Stay tuned for more league updates and game highlights.