On April 27th 2004, the OHL announced the name of “player of the year”, one of the most prestigious awards in the Ontario Hockey League. Corey Locke of the Ottawa 67’s was the winner of the Red Tilson Award (player of the year) for the 2003-2004 season. With 51 goals, 61 assists at total of 118 points in 65 games… he tore apart the league to find himself taking the scoring title for his second year in a row.

Although Corey can’t be too shocked about this, as he won both the Red Tilson and was named Canadian Hockey League Player of the year in the 2002-2003 season. I think the bigger shock Corey Locke was faced with this year, was not being asked to play for the Canadian World Juniors Team for the second year in a row! With the numbers he’s put up, to leading his the 67’s to winning the East Division regular season title with a 29-26-9-4 record and 71 points, to being a shoe-in to play for the Montreal Canadians in the 2004-2005 season (if the problems in the NHL are sorted out), it is an out right shock to me and dozens of other OHL fans that Locke was passed up again this year. It makes you wonder what were they thinking? Could Corey have made the difference? His points certainly make you wonder, they did at least for me. The bottom line is Corey has certainly left his mark in the OHL, being 1 of only 3 others to have won the Red Tilson twice, and his final season ending well with two CHL player of the week recognitions, and January’s player of the month… it will be no surprise that he will move on to have great success in his future hockey, all the while having the utmost respect from all Ottawa fans, OHL enthusiasts, and at least one young writer. Good Luck from all of us here at GongShowHockey.com Corey, we wish you all the best (you deserve it)!

Kyle Park