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HOCKEY Jackson earns OJHL top rookie award Catherine Kim photo O a k v ille 's D y la n J a c k s o n s c o r e d 3 3 g o a ls fo r th e S t. M ic h a e l's B u z z e r s to e a r n th e O n ta r io J u n io r H o c k e y L e a g u e 's r o o k ie o f th e y e a r a w a rd . Dylan, one half of Buzzers' twin attack, honoured for 33-goal season JIM MASON Dylan Jackson says it took time to adjust to ju­ nior hockey. But it didn't long, ac­ cording to Ontario Junior Hockey League officials and media reps. They voted the St. Mi­ chael's Buzzers winger as the OJHL rookie of the year after the Oakville resident scored 33 times and added 25 assists in 54 games. His 58 points ranked second on St. Michael's. Dylan and twin broth- er/linemate Ty got a taste of the OJHL life in 2016-17. The brothers were called up to the Buzzers for a handful of games and didn't look out of place. Dy­ lan, the right winger, to­ talled 118 points (36 goals, 82 assists) for the Missis­ sauga Rebels minor midg­ ets of the Greater Toronto Hockey League that sea­ son. "Playing those games last year helped us get to know the OJHL," Jackson said. "This year, it took a couple of weeks to adjust to the size and the speed in ju­ nior." The veteran leaders on a young Buzzers team de­ serve special mention, Jackson said. "They were really kind to us and made it a good sit­ uation to walk into from the start," he said. Not to mention being good drivers. The brothers didn't turn 16 until last Sep­ tember, meaning they aren't fully licensed. Get­ ting to and from games and practices in Toronto meant catching rides with Buzzer teammates who also live on the west side of the Greater Toronto Area. The twins were selected to the OJHL First Team All-Prospects squad. They've committed to join the NCAA Division 1 Northeastern University Huskies in Boston begin­ ning with the 2019-10 Hock­ ey East season. Naturally, they followed Northeastern's solid run this past season, including the play of former OJHLer Dylan Sikura (Aurora Ti­ gers) who is now a Chicago Blackhawk. "Of course, the dream is to get drafted into the NHL," Dylan said. "It's not a huge problem if we aren't - but it would be awesome." Buzzers general manag­ er and head coach Rich Ric­ ci knows the brothers by their numbers and more. "Dylan had a tremen­ dous inaugural year scor­ ing 33 goals," Ricci said. "Dylan also scored six game-winners and led the team in power-play points. Dylan is a soft-spoken, driven player who wants to excel. "I think Dylan would say that twin brother Ty is equally deserving to win this award with his con­ tributing 36 assists. Dylan (and Ty) have excelled in this environment, both on and off the ice." The Burlington women's Recreational League (BWRSD is still taking registrations for its upcoming outdoor season. BWRSL offers outdoor soccer on Sunday nights (open and 35 and over) and Tuesday nights (30 and over). The season starts in May and runs until late September. For more information check out BWRSL.com BWRSL Burlington Women's Recreational Soccer League WWW.BWRSL.COM Blades' Kellenberger named OJHL's top defenceman JIM MASON Oakville Blades defen­ ceman Matt Kellenberger is saying a fond farewell to the Ontario Junior Hockey League with a big piece of hardware in his hands. The NHL draft prospect has been named the OJHL defenceman of the year. The 19-year-old nearly doubled his points total in his second full season in the loop, scor­ ing 12 times and assisting on 39 others. The 51 points were second highest for all OJHL defencemen. Kellenberger will study engineering and play NCAA Division 1 hockey at Princeton University this fall. An admirer of Erik Karlsson, Kellenberger was defence-first, "but as soon as we get that puck and go on offence," he said, "I want to be up on that rush, helping our team score as much as possible." After a year of midget with the Toronto Nationals and a handful of games in junior, Kellenberger had a decision most Jr. A players only dream of having to make: sign with the Sarnia Sting, who selected him in the seventh round of the previous year's OHL draft, or commit to Princeton? Coaches from the Ivy League school were scout­ ing players on the St. Mi­ chael's Buzzers roster dur­ ing the OJHL playoffs two years ago when they fell for Kellenberger, a call-up who played just six OJHL games that year. After a visit to the New Jersey school and two months of deliberation, Kellenberger opted for the college route. "We thought that was as good as it gets," he said of the lone college offer. "To be able to go to a school of that calibre and play hock­ ey. We kind of jumped on it as quickly as we could." Kellenberger also com­ mitted to stay with Oak­ ville, despite the lengthy commute from his family's north Toronto home. He drove past several other OJHL rinks on his way to games and practices. "I loved every second of it; I wouldn't change it for anything," said the well- spoken Kellenberger. "The (Oakville) coaches let me go. They didn't hold me back and they taught me the ropes of junior hockey and what was possible for the future. And I know they've done the same for a bunch of other guys, too." Kellenberger stayed busy this winter teaching power skating and tutoring Grade 9 and 10 students. He graduated in 2017 from St. Mike's with an 88 per cent average. He was selected to play in the past two Canadian Junior Hockey League prospects games, winning Team East player of the game in 2017. Tennis Anyone? BECOME A MEMBER Registration a t Clubhouse $ Cheque Preferred After M ay 7th fees increase. 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