Oilers prospect Evan Bouchard named OHL defenceman of the year

Evan-Bouchard

London Knights defenceman Evan Bouchard defends in front of goaltender Joseph Raaymakers. (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Edmonton Oilers prospect Evan Bouchard has been awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the Ontario Hockey League’s defenceman of the year.

The London Knights blueliner put up 53 points in 45 games to go along with a plus-28.

His 1.18 points per game were second among all OHL defenders while his 201 shots on goal ranked seventh.

“I am very honoured to be named defenceman of the year,” said Bouchard in a statement. “With the quality of players throughout this talented league, this is an achievement that I am incredibly proud of.”

The Oakville, Ont., native was named captain of the Knights in January and was drafted 10th overall by the Oilers in 2018.

He played seven games with Edmonton at the start of the 2018-19 season, scoring once, before being sent back to London.

Bouchard is currently chasing a Calder Cup with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, and finished his OHL career with 201 points in 223 games, which ranks second all-time by a Knights defenceman.

“We are incredibly proud of Evan for his accomplishment, not just this year, but throughout his entire London Knights career,” London GM Mark Hunter said in a statement. “Evan was a tremendous leader and representative of our organization.”

Bouchard will be the OHL’s nominee for the CHL defenceman of the year which will be announced May 25.

Internationally, Bouchard represented Canada at the 2019 world junior championship.

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