Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Anaheim Ducks prospect Pavel Mintyukov of the Ottawa 67’s is the 2022-23 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy, an award presented annually to the OHL’s Defenceman of the Year as voted by the league’s General Managers.
Mintyukov led OHL blueliners with 88 points including 24 goals and 64 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-33, joining the 67’s midway through the season to help them secure the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the league’s regular season champions.
“I am extremely honoured to receive such a prestigious award,” said Mintyukov. “This would not have been possible without the support of everyone around me. A huge thank you goes out to my family as well as both the Ottawa 67’s and Saginaw Spirit organizations consisting of all of my teammates, and coaching staffs.”
Mintyukov saw time in all situations, logging big minutes throughout the season as he led OHL rearguards with six game-winning goals and put together 27 multi-point outings. He became the OHL’s first defenceman on record to ever receive league Defenceman of the Month honours in three consecutive months, doing so in October, November and December.
“Throughout the 2022-23 season, Pavel exhibited his tremendous skill, energy, and passion for the game, each and every day,” said 67’s General Manager James Boyd. “His positive impacts as a teammate, and leader extend beyond the ice surface. It is great to see Pavel receive this well-deserved, prestigious recognition.”
A 19-year-old from Moscow, Russia, Mintyukov recorded 150 points (41-109–150) over 136 career regular season games between Ottawa and Saginaw over the past two seasons, becoming the first blueliner to ever lead the Spirit in regular season scoring during the 2021-22 campaign as he was voted an OHL third team all-star. The Anaheim Ducks selected Mintyukov with the 10th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, and signed him to a three-year entry-level NHL contract on July 16, 2022. He was Saginaw’s first round (52nd overall) pick in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.
The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers. All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player.
The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal. After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960.
Barrie Colts blueliner Brandt Clarke finished as the runner-up in this year’s award voting.
Mintyukov is the latest Ottawa 67’s blueliner to win the award, joining an impressive list of names that includes Noel Hoefenmayer (2020), Brendan Bell (2003), Brian Campbell (1999), Sean Blanchard (1997), Chris Snell (1991), Brad Shaw (1984), Randy Boyd (1981) and back-to-back winner Denis Potvin (1972, 1973). Other prominent winners have included Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2012), two-time recipients Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2009 & 2011) and Bryan Berard (Detroit 1995 & 1996), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2008) as well as Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1993).
Mintyukov is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Defenceman of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. He will be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
For a complete list of OHL award winners, click here.
