OTTAWA, ON – The Central Canada Hockey League is pleased to announce that Ottawa Junior Senators forward Thomas Freel has been named the 2021-22 Arthur K Nielsen Award recipient as Academic Player of the Year.
The 2001 born Ottawa, ON native and University of Maine commit is currently attending the University of Ottawa part-time where he has maintained an A average while taking multiple courses per term. He was also a very strong high school student, being awarded the Governor Generals Award for having the highest average in his graduating class in High School. Thomas also won multiple honours at Immaculata Catholic High School for having the highest average in individual classes and was also an Ontario Scholar.
On the ice, Freel was one of the CCHLs leading goal scorers with 35 goals (second in the league), and eighth overall in Points with 61. The team captain who plays in all situations, including being a key contributor on both the OJS PP and PK units. He was nominated on two occasions for Junior Senators selection for CCHL Player of the Month and was selected as Player of the Week during Week 2 of the regular season. Thomas was also chosen to be a part of the CCHL All Star team who played an exhibition game vs University of Ottawa Gee Gees back in October
Off the ice, Freel has had an extensive volunteer history during his time with the Ottawa Junior Senators organization. He has helped conduct evaluations for different minor hockey associations during their sort outs in September and volunteered as an on-ice helper at various team practices throughout the last 3 years. As part of a broader program within OJS, he volunteered to help out with sledge hockey teams who play at the Junior Sens home arena on Sunday’s. Finally, the OJS U18 AAA team has had Thomas as a guest speaker at live and virtual sessions where he spoke about the importance of time management when balancing school and hockey schedules.
