By Rosalind Russell – Sixteen-year-old Owen Smith, a forward with the Espanola Paper Kings, has been presented with the John Grignon Trophy – Rookie of the Year Award leading all in scoring with 60 points, including 24 tallies, in 51 games.
He also tied for second in rookie power play goals, seven in all; first with 20 power play assists; first with 27 power point plays; and, first in game-winning goals, seven in all, by a rookie.
He has also been selected to the league’s First All-Rookie Team as a forward.
Marc Gagnon of the Paper King has also been selected as the general manager of the Second All-Star Team.
Gagnon helped build a Paper Kings roster that had a 12-point improvement in the NOJHL standings and served as Director of Scouting for Team NOHA for the upcoming OHL Cup.
In his lone season in Espanola, Joseph Coates, who will play on the Third All-Star Team, led the Paper Kings in goals (27); assists (46) and points (73), ending up ninth in overall NOJHL scoring.
Photo: NOJHL announces 2025-26 regular season award recipients – Lumberjacks’ Mathieu Comeau named MVP; Cubs’ Spencer Horgan Top Defenceman; Paper Kings’ Owen Smith Rookie of the Year.
Comeau: Northern Lights Photography
Horgan: Rob Fera / Points North Media
Smith: Espanola Paper Kings
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