Upper St. Clair Native Wins Hockey Award

Upper St. Clair native Vince Trocheck has won the Red Tilson Trophy as outstanding player for the Ontario Hockey League.

Trocheck captured the Eddie Powers Trophy as Top OHL Scorer this season with 50 goals and 59 assists for 109 points in 63 games and produced a league-high plus-minus rating of plus-49.

"It’s definitely an honor to win this award," Trocheck said. "To have my name with so many (other) prestigious names up there, it’s an honor."

The 19-year-old becomes just the fourth American-born player to win the award following Legwand, Peake and fellow Pittsburgh-area native Michael Houser who won the award last season with the London Knights.

"Vince was a pleasure to coach," said Plymouth Whalers GM/head coach Mike Vellucci. "His move to Plymouth was an easy transition. He works hard on all aspects of his game, both offensively and defensively. He is an intelligent hockey player and is deserving of the Red Tilson Trophy."

Drafted in the second round, 24th overall by the Saginaw Spirit, Trocheck has played 264 OHL regular season games producing 120 goals and 179 assists for 299 points. 

He was acquired by the Whalers in January after winning gold with Team USA at the 2013 World Junior Championship.  

The Florida Panthers prospect was selected in the third round of the 2011 NHL Draft.

"We are extremely proud that Vince has been selected as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year," said Florida Panthers Executive VP/GM Dale Tallon. "Vince had an exceptional season this year capturing the OHL scoring title, while leading Plymouth in scoring during the playoffs. He is one of our prospects who has matured and developed through hard work and dedication since being drafted. We are excited about his continued growth and development within our organization."

The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by OHL.

Accredited media were asked to select their top three choices from the 20 nominees representing all 20 member clubs. Trocheck received 298 points in the voting process. Goaltender Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls finished second in the voting with 78 points, followed by Charles Sarault of the Sarnia Sting with 75 voting points.

The trophy is named in honour of Albert "Red" Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the scoring champion for the 1942-43 season.

Trocheck will be formally presented with the Red Tilson Trophy at the annual OHL Awards Ceremony on June 4.