London, ON – The Mustangs Men's Hockey team got a pair of major awards and three all-star recognitions as part of the OUA year-end awards announced on Thursday afternoon.

2nd-year defenceman Jake Gravelle was named OUA West Division Defender of the Year. Gravelle was one of the premier point producers in the division and conference as a whole, all while playing on the Mustangs D-Core. Gravelle racked up 24 assists this season which was 2nd in the OUA. The King's University College student from Callander, On added four goals which gave him a top-10 point total for the regular season with a ninth-ranked total of 28.

"It's huge honour and feels great to be recognized in that way. Can't go without thanking my teammates and coaches because it wouldn't have been possible without them." said Gravelle "There are so many great players in this league, it does make it that much sweeter to get the nod this early in my OUA career but I think at the same time that's gonna be what motivates me to continue to get better and hopefully have my name called again." 

This is the second time a Mustang has received the award, Scott Aarssen was the only previous winner of the award back in 2011-12.

Elsewhere, Mustangs captain Kyle Pettit finishes out his OUA career with an award recognizing his overall effort on the ice and off with the West Division True Sport Award.

Pettit is finishing his Bachelor of Education this season while being the leader of the Men's Hockey program in every aspect of the word.

On the ice, Pettit has been one of the top centremen in the league during his tenure offering Western's best in the faceoff circle at 62%, he also leads the team in shot blocks and plus-minus, and is also the Mustangs' top penalty killer.

Away from the rink, Pettit has been an academic all-Canadian throughout most of his tenure and has helped with all of the team's campus and community initiatives while also serving as a program leader for the summer Mustangs Hockey Academy.

A pair of Mustangs were recognized in the OUA All-Star nods, Gravelle was named a First Team All-Star for his impressive season and graduating senior Franco Sproviero was named a Second Team All-Star this season. Sproviero tallied 31 points this season for the Mustangs, scoring 10 goals and adding 21 assists.

Western also received a nod on the All-Rooke Team in 1st-year defenceman Eric Van Impe. The Calgary native came into the Mustangs lineup and was all over the game sheet with 7 goals and 17 assists this season for 24 points in 27 games and looks to be a force for years to come.

"It's obviously a great honour to be recognized as one of the top rookies and it's something to be proud of." said Van Impe "Being recognized for something like this is definitely a motivator for next season, hopefully I can build off of this year and try to continue on with the success I've found."

The complete list of 2022-23 OUA men's hockey award winners and all-stars is as follows:

Most Valuable Player (East) – Simon Lafrance, UQTR Patriotes
Most Valuable Player (West) – Jacob Roach, Brock Badgers
Defenceman of the Year (East) – Justin Bergeron, UQTR Patriotes
Defenceman of the Year (West) – Jake Gravelle, Western Mustangs
Goaltender of the Year (East) – Jonathan Lemieux, Concordia Stingers
Goaltender of the Year (West) – Nathan Torchia, Windsor Lancers
Rookie of the Year (East) – Jonathan Lemieux, Concordia Stingers
Rookie of the Year (West) – Josh Van Unen, Lakehead Thunderwolves
Coach of the Year (East) – Marc-Étienne Hubert, UQTR Patriotes
Coach of the Year (West) – Andrew Wilkins, Lakehead Thunderwolves
Randy Gregg Award (East) – Duncan Campbell, Queen's Gaels
Randy Gregg Award (West) – Kyle Bollers, TMU Bold
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award (East) – Mikisiw Awashish, McGill Redbirds
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award (West) – Troy Williams, Lakehead Thunderwolves
True Sport Award (East) – Scott Walford, McGill Redbirds
True Sport Award (West) – Kyle Pettit, Western Mustangs

First Team All-Stars (East)
F – Simon Lafrance, UQTR Patriotes
F – Parker Aucoin, Carleton Ravens
F – William Rouleau, McGill Redbirds
D – Justin Bergeron, UQTR Patriotes
D – Scott Walford, McGill Redbirds
G – Jonathan Lemieux, Concordia Stingers

First-Team All-Stars (West)
F – Jacob Roach, Brock Badgers
F – Kyle Bollers, TMU Bold
F – Spencer Blackwell, Lakehead Thunderwolves
D – Jake Gravelle, Western Mustangs
D – Cole Thiessen, Brock Badgers
G – Nathan Torchia, Windsor Lancers

Second Team All-Stars (East)
F – Julien Tessier, UQTR Patriotes
F – Isiah Campbell, Concordia Stingers
F – James White, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
D – Jacob Paquette, Queen's Gaels
D – Kyle Havlena, Concordia Stingers
G – Alexis Gravel, UQTR Patriotes

Second Team All-Stars (West)
F – Franco Sproviero, Western Mustangs
F – Dan Walker, Waterloo Warriors
F – Anthony Stefano, Windsor Lancers
D – Kyle Auger, Lakehead Thunderwolves
D – Ryan Barbosa, Toronto Varsity Blues
G – Christian Propp, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks

All-Rookie Team (East)
F – William Rouleau, McGill Redbirds
F – Félix Lafrance, UQTR Patriotes
F – Nick McCarry, Carleton Ravens
D – Samuel Desgorseilliers, Concordia Stingers
D – Maxime Blanchard, McGill Redbirds
G – Jonathan Lemieux, Concordia Stingers

All-Rookie Team (West)
F – Josh Van Unen, Lakehead Thunderwolves
F – Anthony Tabak, Guelph Gryphons
F – Connor Bowie, TMU Bold
D – Eric Van Impe, Western Mustangs
D – Colin Campbell, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
G – Cristian Cicigoi, Lakehead Thunderwolves