The OJHL announced today that Wellington Dukes forward Mike Soucier (photo credit – Brian Watts/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month for September after recording 13 points in nine games played to kick-off the season.
The second-year forward led his club and the North-East Conference in scoring during the month of September after registering points in eight of the Dukes nine games for totals of six goals, seven assists and thirteen points. Eight of Soucier’s thirteen points came with the man advantage, including five power play assists to lead the league’s best power play unit early in the season. His month included four multi-point games, topped off by a three point effort during a 4-3 victory over Georgetown, en route to a 7-2 record on the month for the 2014 Dudley-Hewitt Cup host club.
“It’s a real honour to be named Player-of-the-Month for the North-East Conference,” said the Dukes’ leading scorer. “We are off to a good start and this award represents more of a complete team recognition than any individual accomplishments. Hopefully we can keep it going.”
“Mike has shown tremendous leadership to back-up his great start to the OJHL season,” said Dukes General Manager and Head Coach Marty Abrams. “We’re very pleased that his performance has been recognized around the league, resulting in this Player-of-the-Month Award.”
Taylor Best of the Whitby Fury was runner-up to Soucier as the North-West Conference Player-of-the-Month. Best recorded 12 points, including four multi-point games during eight September contests.
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Born on February 11, 1995 in Caledon, Ontario, Mike Soucier played for numerous ‘AAA’ organizations within the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), ultimately finishing his career in Mississauga. Soucier would play his minor midget season with the Mississauga Senators in 2010-11, recording more than a point/game, while playing in the prestigious OHL Cup tournament to wrap-up the season.
Following the season, Soucier would be selected by the Sarnia Sting in the 12th round, 226th overall, of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. He then joined the Mississauga Rebels in 2011-12, where he would star with the club, firing home more than 60 goals, while registering 164 points. Soucier’s offensive prowess earned the talented forward his first taste of junior action, joining the Orangeville Flyers for a two game stint as an affiliate. More importantly however, Soucier would make a commitment to play NCAA hockey for the Bemidji State University Beavers beginning with the 2015-16 WCHA season.
Now highly recruited among Junior ‘A’ clubs across the country due to his collegiate commitment, Soucier ultimately decided to join the well-respected Wellington Dukes organization, along with fellow recruit Jake Marchment. Facing a slimmed-down, competitive OJHL, Soucier would not disappoint on a young Dukes squad, finishing sixth in scoring on the club with 15 assists and 22 points in 46 regular season games played.
Soucier’s quick start and potential would ultimately earn the youngster a spot on Team Canada East that would finish fourth overall at the 2012 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge held in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Later, over the Christmas Break, he would play for the OJHL East Division All-Star squad that would win the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge in front of his hometown Wellington fans and following the season, his success throughout the 2012-13 season was rewarded with his selection as an OJHL 2nd Team All-Prospect.
One of the Wellington Dukes leaders this season, Soucier looks to continue his quick start throughout the remainder of the season, into the 2014 Dudley-Hewitt Cup and beyond.
(Courtesy OJHL news release)
