Emms Family Award

The Emms Family Award is presented annually to the top first year player in the Ontario Hockey League.

The award was donated to the OHL by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of franchises in Barrie, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines.

Winners

• 2020-21 - Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
• 2019-20 - Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs
• 2018-19 - Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves
• 2017-18 - Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts
• 2016-17 - Ryan Merkley, Guelph Storm
• 2015-16 - Alexander Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads
• 2014-15 - Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters
• 2013-14 - Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67's
• 2012-13 - Connor McDavid, Erie Otters
• 2011-12 - Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts
• 2010-11 - Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting
• 2009–10 - Matthew Puempel, Peterborough Petes
• 2008–09 - Evgeny Grachev, Brampton Battalion
• 2007–08 - Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
• 2006–07 - Patrick Kane, London Knights
• 2005–06 - John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
• 2004–05 - Benoît Pouliot, Sudbury Wolves
• 2003–04 - Bryan Little, Barrie Colts
• 2002–03 - Rob Schremp, Mississauga IceDogs
• 2001–02 - Patrick O'Sullivan, Mississauga IceDogs
• 2000–01 - Rick Nash, London Knights
• 1999–2000 - Derek Roy, Kitchener Rangers
• 1998–99 - Sheldon Keefe, Barrie Colts
• 1997–98 - David Legwand. Plymouth Whalers
• 1996–97 - Peter Sarno, Windsor Spitfires
• 1995–96 - Joe Thornton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
• 1994–95 - Bryan Berard, Detroit Junior Red Wings
• 1993–94 - Vitali Yachmenev, North Bay Centennials
• 1992–93 - Jeff O'Neill, Guelph Storm
• 1991–92 - Chris Gratton, Kingston Frontenacs
• 1990–91 - Cory Stillman, Windsor Spitfires
• 1989–90 - Chris Longo, Peterborough Petes
• 1988–89 - Owen Nolan, Cornwall Royals
• 1987–88 - Rick Corriveau, London Knights
• 1986–87 - Andrew Cassels, Ottawa 67's
• 1985–86 - Lonnie Loach, Guelph Storm
• 1984–85 - Derek King, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
• 1983–84 - Shawn Burr, Kitchener Rangers
• 1982–83 - Bruce Cassidy, Ottawa 67's
• 1981–82 - Pat Verbeek, Sudbury Wolves
• 1980–81 - Tony Tanti, Oshawa Generals
• 1979–80 - Bruce Dowie, Toronto Marlboros
• 1978–79 - John Goodwin, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
• 1977–78 - Wayne Gretzky, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
• 1976–77 - Mike Gartner, Niagara Falls Flyers
• 1975–76 - John Tavella, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
• 1974–75 - Danny Shearer, Hamilton Fincups
• 1973–74 - Jack Valiquette, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
• 1972–73 - Dennis Maruk, London Knights

Source

Ontario Hockey League Information Guide and Player Register