The Ontario Hockey League announced yesterday that LONDON KNIGHTS’ goaltender, MICHAEL HOUSER was named the 2011-12 winner of the Red Tilson Trophy, slightly edging out Sudbury Wolves forward MICHAEL SGARBOSSA. There is no doubt that HOUSER has had a tremendous season in net, backstopping his team into the OHL Finals, which begin tonight in London.

SGARBOSSA finished the regular season with 47 goals and 55 assists for 102 points over the course of 66 games, allowing him to capture the 2011-12 OHL Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, as the league’s leading scorer. SGARBOSSA is the first Wolves’ player to win this title in 33 years and was a cornerstone to the Wolves on-ice success during the regular season.

“Michael is one of the most dynamic offensive players to ever wear a Wolves’ jersey and it was such a thrill for our fans to be able to watch him perform here in Sudbury this season and become the first Sudbury Wolves’ player to win the OHL scoring race in 33 years,” said Sudbury Wolves President and General Manager Blaine Smith. “Finishing a close second for the league MVP award is an honour in itself, however, Michael was our MVP all year and was very deserving of all of the honours that have been bestowed upon him this season by the Sudbury Wolves, the OHL and the CHL.”  

 The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League.  Accredited media were asked to select their top three choices from the 20 nominees representing all 20 member clubs.  Players received five points for a first place selection, three points for second place and one point for a third place selection.

 In the 80 ballots collected, Houser received 182 points in the voting process and was listed as the number one selection on 30 of the submitted ballots.  OHL Top Scorer Michael Sgarbossa of the Sudbury Wolves finished in second place with 164 voting points, ahead of Tyler Toffoli of the Ottawa 67’s who received 106 voting points, and Mark Visentin of the Niagara IceDogs who received 104 voting points.

The Wolves were well represented for consideration of awards as third year defenceman FRANK CORRADO was a finalist for the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league's Top Defenceman.  Rookie forward NATHAN PANCEL made the cut as one of the league’s top rookie on the season for the Emms Family Award.