Barrie Colts defenceman Grayson Tiller was among the head of the class as the Ontario Hockey League announced its academic players of the month for December on Wednesday.
Sharing the honour with Tiller, who was representing the OHL's Central Division, are the East Division's Callum Cheynowski (Hamilton Bulldogs), the Midwest Division's Nathan Sauder (Erie Otters), and the West Division's Tristan Bertucci (Flint Firebirds).
Tiller, 17, is achieving academic excellence in Grade 12 university-level chemistry, university-level advanced functions and is enrolled in the high-performance athlete co-op program at Innisdale Secondary School in south-end Barrie.
“Grayson is a straight-A student,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. "Just like his on-ice preparation, he his very dedicated, responsible and teachable in the classroom."
The St. Catharines native has played 28 games this season, recording five assists for the Colts. The five-foot-10, 189-pound blue-liner was selected in the third round (44th overall) by Barrie in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.
Cheynowski, meanwhile, is achieving a 93 per cent average in Grade 12 university-level French, a 98 per cent average in accounting and a 96 per cent average in university-level functions at Ancaster High School.
The 16-year-old, who hails from Welland, has played nine games this season, recording one assist for the Bulldogs. He's recorded an additional six points (4-2—6) in 10 games with the Thorold Blackhawks of the GOJHL. The six-foot, 187-pound blue-liner was selected in the third round (63rd overall) by Hamilton in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
Sauder has recently completed kinesiology with a 93 per cent average at Blyth Academy and is achieving a 96 per cent average in art history, a 74 per cent average in functions and an 87 percent average in English at Fairview High School.
The Mississauga native has played 30 games this season, recording one goal and four assists for the Otters. The Otters selected Sauder in the third round (54th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.
Bertucci is achieving academic excellence in Grade 12 nutrition, leadership, modern business, physical education, English, and chemistry.
The 17-year-old from Vaughan has appeared in 30 games this season, recording three goals and 16 assists. Bertucci was selected in the first round (seventh overall) by the Firebirds in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. NHL Central Scouting listed Bertucci as a 'C'-rated skater for the 2023 NHL Draft on their Players to Watch list issued earlier this season.
