The league is pleased to announce the Western Conference award winners for the 2025-26 season.
2025-26 Western Conference Awards
(video below)
Pat Stapleton Memorial Award
(Most Valuable Player)
Kevin McIntosh Award
(Best Defensive Forward)
RYAN HODKINSON
St. Marys Lincolns
The third-year forward ranked 5th among all Western Conference scorers with a career-high 63 points, and was third in the conference with 47 assists. He led the Lincolns in points, assists and power play points (23). Drafted by the OHL’s Oshawa Generals in 2022, Ryan helped his hometown team to a third-place finish in the Western Conference standings.
R.J. Noble Memorial Award (Rookie of the Year)
JAKE RITSON – Strathroy Rockets
The Thunder Bay native led all league rookies in points (72), which ranks as the 5th most by a rookie in GOHL history, and his 48 assists is tied for 2nd most. The 5th round pick by the London Knights in 2025 was a 2-time recipient of the GOHL Rookie of the Month (November, January). Jake tied a franchise record with 5 assists in a win over St. Thomas on January 24.
Cory Stoyko Memorial Award (Most Valuable Defenceman)
CODY WOOD – London Nationals
The rookie from Uxbridge was tied for second among Western Conference defencemen with 40 points. An 8th round pick by the London Knights in 2024, Cody represented the Nationals at the GOHL Top Prospects Game at OHL’s Connor McDavid Top Prospects event, and was selected as a member of the GOHL U-18’s team which participated in the St. Andrew’s College MacPherson Tournament.
John Faulkner Trophy (Most Valuable Goaltender)
BROCK GREIN – Waterloo Siskins
The first-year netminder from Kitchener led all Western Conference goalies with 4 shutouts, including back-to-back blank sheets in November. The Kitchener Jr Rangers alumnus played in 37 games for the Siskins — the second most appearances in a season in franchise history.
Bill Lochead Trophy (Most Gentlemanly Player)
CHASE MacQUEEN-SPENCE – St. Marys Lincolns
The 4th-year forward from Lambeth was among the top 20 scorers in the Western Conference with 50 points while accumulating just 14 penalty minutes for the Lincolns. The North Bay Battalion draft pick in 2021 set career franchise records for goals (80), assists (113), and points (193), and his 13 career game winning goals were one shy of the franchise record.
Kearnsy Memorial Award (Coach of the Year)
DAVID WILLIAMS – Stratford Warriors
David compiled a 30-13-4-3 record for his eighth 30-win season in 10 years as Warriors head coach, leading Stratford to a 4th place finish in the Western Conference standings.
A representative from each team had the opportunity to submit nominees for their respective conferences and were permitted to nominate players from their own teams. Votes were submitted by representatives from each team for their respective conference awards. Voters were not permitted to cast votes for any nominee from their own team.
