Ottawa, Ontario – The Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League is proud to announce it’s CCM Hockey January Performers of the Month. Casselman Vikings forward Nico Pozzebon takes home Forward of the Month, Ottawa West Golden Knights Defenseman Adam Cater collects Defenseman of the Month, Perth Blue Wings goaltender James Cole gets Goalie of the Month and Athens Aeros Ryan Rutley is awarded Rookie of the Month.
FOTM: ’02 Nico Pozzebon (Casselman Vikings)
Pozzebon, 20, had an impressive month for January by collecting one goal and nine assists in eight games. He was a Martin Division All Star for the game on January 23rd in Perth, where he pick up one goal and one assists in a 6-3 win over the Richardson Division All Stars. His only goal during January was against Richmond on January 5th in a 4-2 win, which he had two points. Pozzebon had his goal steak extended to three games. He captained his team to seven games this month. had one assist on 1/19 against Winchester, three assists on 1/26 vs Embrun and then two assists on 1/27 vs Winchester. The Bourget, Ontario native has 11 goals, to go along with 18 assists and 29 points in 31 games in his final season in the EOJHL.
DOTM: ’03 Adam Cater (Ottawa West Golden Knights)
Cater, 19, played a shut down role on defense throughout January. He had two goals and five assists on the backend in eight games. His two goals came against the Richmond Royals on January 8th 2023, where he tied the game on the power play in the third to force OT and then would collect the game winner 56 seconds into the extra frame. The next game Cater would add two more assists for a four game point streak in a 9-0 win over Winchester. The Nepean, Ontario native played in the EOJHL All Star Game on January 23rd and played terrific on the back end. He has six goals, to go along with 17 assists in 31 games this season.
GOTM: ’04 James Cole (Perth Blue Wings)
Cole, 18, only allowed two goals in four games throughout January. he was 4-0, to go along with a 0.50 GAA / .983 SV% and two shutouts. Cole is second in the league with four shutouts right behind his teammate Brady McEwan. Perth has combined for 10 shutouts throughout the season. His two shutouts came against Whitewater on January 6th (21 saves) and Valley on January 29th (39 saves). His other two wins came against Valley and Brockville, where he combined for 56 saves on 58 shots between January 15th to January 27th. The Ottawa, Ontario native is 11-0-1, with a 1.25 GAA / .958 SV% and four shutouts. He hasn’t lost a game in regulation this season.
ROTM: ’05 Ryan Rutley (Athens Aeros)
Rutley, 17, is on a seven game point streak by collecting six goals and six assists. Rutley collected his first CCHL goal on January 20th against Nepean in a 6-1 win. It came in his first game with the Kemptville 73s. Between January 8th to January 21st, Rutley went on a four game goal streak. he had a goal in back-to-back games against Valley and then two goals in back-to-back games against Smiths Falls. He also set his career high by collecting four points in a game against Valley on January 14th. The Potsdam, New York native has 16 goals, to go along with 22 assists in 32 games this season.
