FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, April 22, 2013
PENTICTON, BC–The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce forward Ryan Gropp (96) has been named one of ten finalists for the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) 2013 Rookie of the Year Award. This is the first time the award is presented on a national level and is one of seven newly created national awards.
Gropp, 16, was named the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) Rookie of the Year last month, after tallying 12 goals and 31 points in 50 games. The Kamloops native was the youngest player in the BCHL in 2012-2013 and finished ninth in team scoring. In the Fred Page Cup Playoffs, Gropp kept up with his regular season pace, scoring four goals and finishing with nine points in 15 games, as the Vees fell to the Surrey Eagles in the Fred Page Cup Final.
Gropp also dawned the maple leaf this past season, suiting up for Team Pacific at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge. Gropp finished with two goals and three points in five games, helping Pacific to a top-five finish in Drummondville, Quebec.
The CJHL will pair-down the Top 10 to a group of five finalists for the national award this week. The first ever recipient of the CJHL Rookie of the Year award will be announced during the week of May 6th-10th. The seven new national award categories include Most Valuable Player, Top Forward, Top Defenseman, Top Goalie, as well as Coach of the Year and Top NHL Prospect.
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