C/O -Concordia Stingers; Gar FitzGerald

March 12, 2026

Lavigne, Dann leave it all on the ice to earn top provincial recognition

Burlington, Ont. - As another Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men's hockey season comes to a close, exceptional performances emerged both on and off the ice. Leading the 2025–26 class of award winners and all-stars are Concordia's Simon Lavigne and Guelph's Nolan Dann, who each delivered unmatched MVP seasons and left a significant impact within their programs and communities.

Most Valuable Player & Defender of the Year (East) – Simon Lavigne, Concordia Stingers

Night after night, Lavigne delivered game-changing performances that made him a driving force behind Concordia's success, collecting not one but two OUA awards this season.

The Blainville, Que. product contributed 23 points for the Stingers this season as part of his 24 games played. As the team's third leading scorer, he found the back of his opponents' net 10 times, while assisting on 13 of his teammates' tallies as well.

From anchoring the defensive zone to driving the offence from the back end, Lavigne was a difference-maker every time he stepped on the ice. In January, during his team's 13-game winning streak, the fourth-year finance student went on a seven-game point streak, ultimately helping to propel the defending OUA champions to second in the OUA East.

Across all situations, Lavigne proved his worth time and time again, including in the clutch, with one of the decorated student-athlete's pair of game-winners this season coming in overtime against rival McGill.

Most Valuable Player (West) – Nolan Dann, Guelph Gryphons

Dann's spectacular second season with the Gryphons sees him named the 2025-26 OUA West Most Valuable Player, becoming the fifth player in program history to be named MVP.

The Cambridge, Ont., native was a driving force behind the Gryphons' first playoff appearance since the 2019–20 season, finishing the regular season as the conference's top point-producer (40 points in 25 games).

The arts student ranked fourth in the OUA with 26 assists and was tied for the team lead with 14 goals. These lofty numbers played a key role in Guelph's 99 goals overall, a total that ranked among the top three in the league across the 28-game schedule.

The former Flint Firebird (OHL) recorded 10 multi-point games during the regular season, including two four-point efforts. He closed out the campaign on a 10-game point streak, amassing an impressive 17 points over that span.

The second-year forward carried his strong play into the postseason, scoring three times in the Gryphons' five playoff games. Dann also became the first Gryphon since 2021-22 to be named a first team all-star.

Rookie of the Year (East) – Alexis Daviault, Ottawa Gee-Gees

It didn't take long for Daviault to make his mark with the Ottawa Gee-Gees,

The first-year defender led all East division rookies with 24 points, averaging just under a point per game (0.86). His two dozen points ranked him second amongst his fellow Gee-Gees among offensive production, while playing in all 28 regular season contests.

Leading all conference rookies in assists (19), the blueliner consistently showcased his impressive playmaking ability. He was also a major point producer on the powerplay for the Gee-Gees, setting up six opportunities for his teammates therein.

The Gatineau, Que. native also scored five goals this season, with his most prolific outing coming in mid-October against the Queen's Gaels, where he notched one goal and two assists. With his impressive playmaking acumen in tow, the rookie etched his name on every goal in the Gee-Gees 3-2 win over the Gaels.

It was an impressive season all-around for Daviault, capping it off with Ottawa's second rookie of the year honour in program history.

Rookie of the Year (West) – Colton Smith, Windsor Lancers

A dynamic offensive force from day one, Smith delivered a standout rookie campaign for the Lancers.

The Windsor, Ont. local helped his side lock up top spot in the OUA West and an 18-win season with his impactful offensive output. The first-year forward finished the regular season with 21 goals, tied for top spot in the conference with his fellow Lancer, while leading all rookie counterparts therein. In his 27 games played, he recorded 29 points, putting him 15th amongst all OUA skaters.

Smith's debut season game log featured five multi-goal games during the regular season, including two hat tricks. He closed out the Lancers' campaign on a tear with 11 goals in his final seven contests, carrying that momentum into the postseason with yet another three-goal game to his name.

Defender of the Year (West) – Nathan Allensen, Guelph Gryphons

Following a breakout season for the Gryphons, Allensen established himself as one of the conference's top blueliners.

The management major played in all 28 regular season games, finishing with the second‑most points among OUA defenders with 28. The fourth-year rearguard also ranked third amongst his fellow defenders in goals (8) and tied for the second in assists (20).

Featured in the team captain's productive campaign were nine multi‑point outings, including four three-assist games. One of the season's highlights for the Waterloo, Ont. native came early in the calendar year against the Brock Badgers, when he buried the overtime game‑winner.

Allensen's recognition, which also includes his first all-star selection in his four varsity seasons to date, marks just the second time in program history that a Gryphon defender has earned this top honour.

Goaltender of the Year (East) – Zach Roy, Nipissing Lakers

Standing tall between the pipes, Roy proved to be one of the conference's most reliable goaltenders this season.

The Nipissing netminder finished third in the province and led the East Division with a .925 save percentage. Hailing from Callander, Ont., Roy helped the Lakers lock down 11 wins in the 19 games he backstopped, a total that put him seventh in the league.

Backed by a strong defensive structure, Roy consistently rose to the occasion in net, allowing only 45 goals all season. His efforts solidified a goals-against average of 2.35, ranking him sixth among his conference counterparts. Adding to his stat line, Roy also posted two shutouts this year.

Roy had his best season to date for the Lakers, defeating every opponent in the OUA East division, and in the games in which he didn't take to the blue paint, Nipissing managed just one win, once again proving the impact that the fourth-year goalie had for his squad.

The history major is just the second Laker to be tabbed as goaltender of the year.

Goaltender of the Year (West) – Max Donoso, Windsor Lancers

Donoso's consistency in the crease was a key factor in the Windsor Lancers' success this season.

The second-year netminder started every game for the Lancers, leading them to the top of the OUA West standings with 18 wins. He was the only goaltender in the conference to appear in all 28 regular season games, logging 1646:28 minutes between the pipes.

Playing for his hometown team, the Windsor, Ont. product posted the fourth-ranked goals-against average (2.22) and the sixth best save percentage (.920) in the province. Donoso tallied three shutouts this season, including two in back-to-back games against Western and York, respectively. One of Donoso's most memorable outings saw him turn away a career-high 41 shots against the Brock Badgers.

Donoso opened up his campaign strong, allowing just one goal in four of his first five starts before then closing the campaign in similar fashion by surrendering two or fewer goals in five of his final six regular season appearances.

Coach of the Year (East) – Marc-Étienne Hubert, UQTR Patriotes

With strong leadership behind the bench, Hubert guided the UQTR Patriotes to one of the most impressive seasons in the conference, earning recognition as the OUA East Coach of the Year.

UQTR finished the year with a 20-5-3-0 record en route to 43 points overall and a first-place finish in the competitive OUA East Division.

The Patriotes were particularly dominant on home ice this season, posting an outstanding 13–1 record in front of their passionate home crowd. That home‑ice advantage proved to be a key factor in the team's consistent success throughout the campaign.

With Hubert at the helm, UQTR showcased a balanced and dangerous style of play. Offensively, the Patriotes produced 89 goals in 28 games, averaging 3.18 goals per contest while generating 33.6 shots per game. At the same time, Hubert's structured defensive system helped UQTR lead the conference in goals against, consistently limiting opponents' opportunities and controlling play in their own zone.

Defence proved to be a cornerstone of the Patriotes' success, with the team's netminders combining for an impressive .916 save percentage throughout the season.

Coach of the Year (West) – Kevin Hamlin, Windsor Lancers

After guiding the Windsor Lancers through a remarkable season, veteran bench boss Kevin Hamlin has been named the OUA West Coach of the Year.

He led the Lancers to the West Division title with an 18-7-3-0 record and 39 points. Under Hamlin's leadership, Windsor topped the conference with 105 goals, averaging an impressive 3.75 markers per outing. The Lancers were equally strong defensively, meanwhile, allowing just 67 goals to rank among the stingiest teams in the OUA, while recording the league's best goal differential at +38. Their discipline stood out as well, finishing with the third fewest penalty minutes (303).

Windsor also excelled on the powerplay, producing 25 goals with the man advantage (3rd in OUA) and operating at the fourth-highest efficiency. This special teams success was similarly impressive when playing a man down, as the Lancers also allowed the fewest goals against while shorthanded and posted one of the top two penalty kill rates in the conference.

Hamlin's leadership also propelled individual success, with Keegan McMullen and Colton Smith finishing as the league's co-leaders in goals (21), leading the latter to rookie of the year recognition.

This achievement marks the third OUA Coach of the Year Award of Hamlin's career.

Randy Gregg Award (East) – Mathieu Bizier, Concordia Stingers

Bizier is a true leader for the Concordia Stingers, with an impact that extends far beyond the ice.

Within the game, Bizier's consistency, competitiveness, and clutch performances have helped him stand out. The Lévis, Que., native plays with composure, intensity, and a team-first mindset that elevates everyone around him. His performance this season (10G, 16A) placed him among the most impactful players in the country, leading the Stingers in scoring.

Bizier's commitment to the community, meanwhile, stands above the rest.

He volunteers weekly with youth hockey programs, serving as a mentor and role model. This year, he organized the first Stingers Blood Drive, collecting 86 pints of blood – including 45 first-time donors – demonstrating remarkable leadership and initiative. He has also served breakfast in underserved communities through the Breakfast Club of Canada, further reflecting his dedication to giving back.

Randy Gregg Award (West) – Matt McNamara, Windsor Lancers

The veteran defender serves as the Windsor Lancers' captain both on and off the ice.

A human kinetics student, McNamara appeared in all 28 regular season games, contributing seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points, while also maintaining exceptional discipline with only 12 penalty minutes. A late November through January stretch proved to be his most productive of the campaign, posting a seven-game point streak therein.

Off the ice, the Peterborough, Ont., native is an academic all-Canadian and a driving force behind the Lancers' community initiatives. In his second year as team captain, he acts as the program's community liaison, helping deliver the Lancers Against Bullying program to elementary schools across Windsor-Essex County. He has also played an instrumental role in the team's broader outreach efforts, including partnering with an Indigenous community in Western Canada to help rebuild homes following the devastating fires and floods of 2022.

The 2024-25 OUA West True Sport Award winner, McNamara now adds the Randy Gregg award to his growing list of accomplishments, further exemplifying his commitment to leadership, integrity, and community impact.

Champion of EDI Award (East) – Mikisiw Awashish, McGill Redbirds

Awashish, a veteran forward with the McGill Redbirds, has earned the OUA Champion of EDI Award for the second time in four years.

The engineering senior is a defensive-minded centre who scored 11 points, including five goals, and was only penalized twice in 25 regular season games.

Beyond hockey, McGill's alternate captain convinced the team and university officials to move a preseason game 500 kilometers from McGill's McConnell Arena to his hometown of Mashteuiatsh, an Innu community on the shores of Lac Saint-Jean, in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Awashish organized and was the driving force behind the event, a game that was about much more than hockey. It was about giving back to his hometown, fostering representation, and sparking dreams in young Indigenous players who, like him, grew up skating on the local rink.

With support from McGill's coaching staff, university officials, and his community, Awashish organized a two-day visit during which the McGill players led practices with local youth; joined community members for a Truth and Reconciliation Day walk and ceremonies with Elders; and later, with the mood shifting from reflection to celebration, played a game against the Patriotes that was anchored in a message echoing far beyond the boards – you belong, you matter, and you can fulfill your dreams, no matter how big.

Champion of EDI Award (West) – Lucas Eagle, York Lions

York's Lucas Eagle is a dedicated member of his university community, working to champion equity, diversity and inclusion work through hockey.

This past season, he partnered and worked alongside two other York students through York's Centre for Indigenous Student Services (CISS) to organize the Lions' first ever 'Honouring Culture: Indigenous Youth in Hockey' Game.

The game was held in February and spotlighted the Little NHL or Native Hockey League. Teams from Little NHL teams across numerous First Nations around Ontario were invited to attend the event. Eagle, from Edmonton, Alta., also arranged to have an Elder, Allan Okitchiquo, from Attawapiskat First Nation attend, performing a prayer and honour song as part of the special on-ice pre-game ceremony.

The third-year business and society student keeps the OUA Champion of EDI Award within the Lions community, following Owen Gilhula's honour last year.

True Sport Award (East) – Conor Frenette, UQTR Patriotes

Combining competitive excellence with respect and integrity, Frenette consistently represented the values of the game.

The Patriotes captain recorded 29 points during his 27 games played this season. Always a factor for UQTR on the scoresheet, Frenette averaged 1.07 points per game (15G, 14A). A consistent point producer, the Patriotes centre from Gatineau, Que. has averaged more than a point per game for three consecutive seasons. He finished among the top-five goal scorers in the league and second in the OUA East. With the man advantage, Frenette took over the spotlight, scoring seven powerplay goals and adding five assists.

But whether on or off the ice, Frenette leads by example with his strong sportsmanship and respect for the game. The 2025 East MVP, FISU gold medal winner with Team Canada, and two-time Queen's Cup champion showcases who he is beyond his impressive stat line with this recognition as the True Sport Award recipient.

True Sport Award (West) – Liam Fedak, Waterloo Warriors

Known for his integrity on the ice and his dedication to the community, Waterloo Warriors' Fedak has been named the recipient of the conference's True Sport Award.

The fourth-year forward from Oakville, Ont., made a strong impact in 19 games this season, scoring six goals and adding two assists. A key contributor to Waterloo's offence, he recorded three game-winning goals while maintaining exceptional discipline with only 12 penalty minutes.

Fedak is equally impressive in the classroom, earning the highest academic average among all student-athletes at Waterloo.

His commitment to community service is extensive. Fedak played a lead role in organizing Indigenous hockey initiatives, including coordinating a hockey event in Chimnissing and helping bring youth from the community to Waterloo's campus in the spring. He volunteers at the KW Habilitation Farm, contributing to crop growing efforts that help provide food for community members in need. He has also supported youth at the Equestrian Association for the Disabled Therapeutic Riding Centre, assisting with posture development.

A dedicated volunteer, Fedak has worked with disabled adults through CHAMPS multisport, delivering inclusive sports programming that encourages activity and confidence. He also gives his time to the Big Brothers and Sisters of Waterloo Region's Game On program, teaching lessons on nutrition, activity, and leadership.

Major Awards

Most Valuable Player (East) – Simon Lavigne, Concordia Stingers
Most Valuable Player (West) – Nolan Dann, Guelph Gryphons
Rookie of the Year (East) – Alexis Daviault, Ottawa Gee-Gees
Rookie of the Year (West) – Colton Smith, Windsor Lancers
Defender of the Year (East) – Simon Lavigne, Concordia Stingers
Defender of the Year (West) – Nathan Allensen, Guelph Gryphons
Goaltender of the Year (East) – Zach Roy, Nipissing Lakers
Goaltender of the Year (West) – Max Donoso, Windsor Lancers
Coach of the Year (East) – Marc-Étienne Hubert, UQTR Patriotes
Coach of the Year (West) – Kevin Hamlin, Windsor Lancers
Randy Gregg Award (East) – Mathieu Bizier, Concordia Stingers
Randy Gregg Award (West) – Matt McNamara, Windsor Lancers
Champion of EDI Award (East) – Mikisiw Awashish, McGill Redbirds
Champion of EDI Award (West) – Lucas Eagle, York Lions
True Sport Award (East) – Conor Frenette, UQTR Patriotes
True Sport Award (West) – Liam Fedak, Waterloo Warriors

First Team All-stars