CANADIAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
CJHL Media Update
Release Date: Monday, April 28, 2025
CJHL announces its Top Rookie Award finalists for 2024-25
TORONTO – The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced Monday the names of the five players that have been selected finalists for its Top Rookie Award in the 2024-25 campaign.
Each of the finalists were determined through a voting process completed by the CJHL’s nine-member leagues, for their respective efforts during the course of the regular season.
The following are the five nominees for CJHL Top Rookie honours:
Easton Daneault, (F) Drumheller Dragons (AJHL) – Daneault was the recipient of the Dick White Trophy as AJHL Rookie of the Year. … The 16-year-old recorded 56 points in 54 games, which tied him for first among rookies this season. … Despite being in his first year of Jr. hockey, Daneault played in all situations for the Dragons and asserted himself as one of the top players in the league. … He finished tied for seventh in AJHL scoring, averaging 1.04 points-per-game while accumulating 21 goals and 35 assists, including 24 points on the power play. … The Red Deer, Alta., product was twice recognized as the Inter Pipeline AJHL Rookie of the Week back in December. … Daneault was an impact player for the Dragons throughout the regular season, notching five game-winning goals and earning five Viterra AJHL Player of the Game selections. … He is committed to NCAA Division I Merrimack College and is also a prospect of the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes where he appeared in six regular season games for them this season.
With files from Charla Flett, Executive Director (AJHL)
Émile Fournier, (F) Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) – The 18-year-old from Sainte-Luce, Que., led all MHL rookies with 37 goals and 63 points in 52 games. … Fournier finished 14th overall in league scoring and third in goals. … His tally total was nearly double that of the next closest player, who had 19. … That was the most for an MHL rookie since the 2002-03 campaign. … Fournier finished second in rookie assists with 26 and his five game-winning goals tied him for top spot among first-year skaters. … Fournier’s 11 powerplay goals led all rookies and were the fifth highest by all MHL skaters. … He was also No. 1 in man advantage points by rookies with 15. … He had the second-longest goal streak in the MHL this season at nine games where he tallied thirteen goals in that span. … Fournier was twice named the MHL’s Rookie of the Month this season and also earned Honourable Mention for Top Rookie once. … He was named to the Eastlink North Team of the Week on four occasions.
With files from James Faulkner, Director of Communications (MHL)
Mitchell Kathler, (G) Portage Terriers (MJHL) – The first-year netminder this season put together one of the best rookie goaltending performances in the MJHL over the last decade, earning league-wide recognition for his play in the process. … Kathler went 25-11-0 over 37 starts, sporting a 2.41 goals-against average, along with a .917 save percentage and five shutouts. … The rookie puck stopper gave the Terriers a chance to win every night at the top of a tough MGEU East Division in the MJHL. … Kathler’s play earned him the Kim Davis Award as Rookie of the Year, as voted on by the MJHL’s coaches.
With files from Erik Swar, Director of Marketing & Partnerships (MJHL)
Mason Kim, (F) Mississauga Chargers (OJHL) – The Toronto product signed with the Chargers ahead of the 2024-25 season out of the Vaughan Kings AAA program. … Playing out of Port Credit Memorial Arena in Mississauga, Kim had a tremendous initial campaign and was voted the OJHL’s Rookie of the Year. … In 55 games, he amassed 65 points on 29 goals and 36 assists. … Kim represented the Chargers and the OJHL on their Prospects squad back in the fall in competition against similar players from the CCHL.
With files from Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL)
Evan Simeoni, Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) – At 16 years of age, the forward was earlier named the SIJHL’s Rookie of the Year. … Joining the North Stars from the local under-16 Thunder Bay Kings AAA program, Simeoni did not miss a beat and became an impact player immediately. … Being one of only six 2008-born players to suit up in the SIJHL this season, Simeoni played in 47 games and collected 56 points. … This included registering 22 Goals and dishing out 34 Assists. … 38 of his points came while at even strength. … He averaged over 17 minutes-per-game on the ice and completed the regular season with a plus-40 rating. … Simeoni played a key role on the North Stars special teams that finished first overall in the SIJHL on both the power play and penalty kill. … He led the league’s rookie scoring race lead since opening weekend of the season, finished 13 points ahead of all other rookies and 47 points clear of all other 2008-born rookies. … Simeoni finished ninth overall in league scoring. … He attends Westgate High School in Thunder Bay and is in the 11th grade, having completing nine University Level Credits while maintaining an average of over 90%.
With files from Gary Moskalyk, Media (SIJHL)
Also earning consideration for CJHL Top Rookie honours were:
Thomas Ries, (D) Yorkton Terriers (SJHL); Jordan Mayo, (F) Iroquois Falls Storm (NOJHL); Finn Barton, (F) Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) & Luca Scartozzi, (F) Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ).
Photo credits: Kat Hunter / K4Kreative; Todd Pederson; James Mirabelli; Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images; Percy Picard
CJHL CONTACTS
Andy Harkness
President
Canadian Junior Hockey League
aharkness@cjhlhockey.com (E)
Tom Annelin
Director of Communications
Canadian Junior Hockey League
annelin@cjhlhockey.com (E)
cjhlhockey.com (W)
@cjhlhockey (X)
@cjhlhockey (I)