The 2024 CHL Awards will take place at the Memorial Cup in Saginaw, Michigan. Here is the OHL representative up for each award.
With the Memorial Cup just days away, it is time to look to the 2024 CHL Awards which will take place during the tournament in Saginaw, Michigan.
Each award has one candidate from the QMJHL, WHL, and OHL who has been voted as a finalist. For all OHL players, Zayne Parekh leads the way as he is up for two CHL awards — Defenceman of the Year & Top Draft Prospect of the Year.
The winner of the grand prize of the Memorial Cup is still unknown, but we can start to speculate who will win each CHL Award.
David Branch Player of the Year Award
OHL Finalist: Easton Cowan (LDN)
Winning the Red Tilson Trophy was a no-brainer decision for the OHL, as Easton Cowan accomplished some remarkable milestones this year. Other than his 36 regular season game point streak and winning OHL MVP, Cowan lead his team in virtually every aspect possible.
Cowan will have the spotlight on him once again at this year's Memorial Cup — and he always seems to shine when the light is the brightest.
He will be competing against Jagger Firkus (Moose Jaw, WHL) & Mathieu Cataford (Halifax, QMJHL) for this award.
Defenceman of the Year Award
OHL Finalist: Zayne Parekh (SAG)
Zayne Parekh has not only had one of the best draft seasons from a defenceman in recent history, he had one of the best seasons by any defenceman in recent years. Parekh put up an astonishing 33 goals and 96 points in the regular season from the blue line for Saginaw.
He will be competing against Denton Mateychuk (Moose Jaw, WHL) & Vsevolod Komarov (Drummondville, QMJHL) for this award.
Goaltender of the Year Award
OHL Finalist: Jacob Oster (OSH)
Despite getting swept in the finals, Jacob Oster had an almost picture-perfect season for Oshawa in the goal crease. He was able to establish himself as the best goaltender in the league as a 2004-born goaltender, and blow expectations out of the water. His poise and athleticism in the cage is tremendous, and it is likely that he will get some pro-contract looks this offseason.
He will be competing against Brett Mirwald (Vancouver, WHL) & William Rousseau (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL) for this award.
Rookie of the Year Award
OHL Finalist: Jake O'Brien (BFD)
There is always one rookie that comes out of the wood-works and dominates in their first season after getting drafted a little later than they should have. This year, that was Jake O'Brien.
O'Brien was drafted 8th overall by the Brantford Bulldogs in the 2023 OHL Draft, and he was able to take over as one of their top forward in his rookie season. His vision and hockey smarts are off-the-charts for his age, and he has quickly become recognized as a top 2025 NHL Draft prospect.
He will be competing against Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat, WHL) & Émile Guité (Chicoutimi, QMJHL) for this award.
Top Scorer Award
OHL Finalist: David Goyette (SBY)
David Goyette dominated this year — it is as simple as that. The Seattle Kraken prospect was able to outscore all competition with 117 points in 68 games.
He will be competing against Jagger Firkus (WHL) & Antonin Verreault (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL) for this award.
Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award
OHL Finalist: Derek Laxdal (OSH)
Derek Laxdal took a team who looked like a middle-of-the-pack squad, and made them into an OHL Finalist. This team got real hot in the second half of the season and never looked back. A large reason was from the coaching of Laxdal.
He will be competing against Mark Lamb (Prince George, WHL) & Jean-François Grégoire (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL).
Top Draft Prospect Award
OHL Finalist: Zayne Parekh (SAG)
He may not be the highest drafted player from the OHL — keeping Sam Dickinson in mind — but points wise, Zayne Parekh was the most dominant by far.
He will be competing against Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat, WHL) and Maxim Masse (Chicoutimi, QMJHL).
Sportsman Player of the Year Award
OHL Finalist: Jett Luchanko (GUE)
The ultra-competitive draft eligible prospect has been identified as the most sportsmanlike player in the OHL, and Jett Luchanko's compete levels reflect that.
He will be competing against Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw, WHL) & Preston Lounsbury (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)
Scholastic Player of the Year Award
OHL Finalist: Carter George (OS)
Carter George was one of the best goaltenders on the ice this season in the OHL, but he was the best in the classroom.
He will be competing against Noah Chadwick (Lethbridge, WHL) & Alexis Morin (Chicoutimi, QMJHL).
Humanitarian Player of the Year Award
OHL Finalist: Mason Vaccari
He will be competing against Ty Hurley (Kelowna, WHL) & Marcus Kearsey (Charlottetown, QMJHL) for this award.