Bruins’ Evan Gilbert named Orr Division Rookie of the Year

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

Evan Gilbert made an immediate impact in the Uxbridge Bruins’ lineup, after a midseason trade from the North Kawartha Knights, and last week his efforts were rewarded when he was named 2023-24 Orr Division Rookie of the Year.

The 17-year-old forward from Minden spent last season with the Central Ontario Wolves Under-18 ‘AAA’ team before signing with the Knights over the summer, after attending training camp with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. Early in the year, he was a bright spot for the Knights, as one of their leading scorers. Looking to bolster their lineup for the playoffs, the Bruins traded for Gilbert, in January. He kept up his blistering scoring pace, with six goals and five assists, in 12 games played. For the season, Gilbert notched 23 goals and 15 assists, in 39 games played.

“We were thrilled to be able to bring in a player of Evan’s calibre,” commented Bruins GM Jay Simmonds. “We [saw] him last year with the Wolves, and he’d been on our radar for a while. Winning this award is a tremendous honour and shows the respect he earned around our division, this season.”

On Sunday, March 10th, the Bruins opened the Orr Division semifinals against the Georgina Ice, in Keswick. Although the Ice held a 1-0 lead, after the first period, scoring just one minute into the game, the Bruins kept pace with the home side and tied the game on a Gilbert goal, early in the second period.

However, that would be as close as Uxbridge would get, with the Ice taking Game 1 by a final score of 6-2.

The series shifted back to the Bear Den, on Wednesday, March 13th, for Game 2. The action continues this weekend, with Game 3 set for Friday night, at 7:30 p.m., in Keswick. On Saturday, March 14th, the Bear Den hosts Game 4, at 7:45 p.m.

If needed, Game 5 will be played on Tuesday, March 19th, in Keswick, at 7 p.m. Game 6 is set for the Bear Den, at 8:10 p.m., on Thursday, March 21st, and Game 7 is slated for 7:30 p.m., on Friday, March 22nd, at the Keswick Ice Palace.

Loose Pucks:

- Playoff prices for Bruins home games are Adults $12, Seniors $8, Students $5, and Children under 6 admitted for free.