Domingue garners Career Achievement Award, Hanlon, Mongo, Mantha also honoured

The Gee-Gees men's hockey program is proud to announce the team members selected as the annual award winners for Most Valuable Player, President's Award, and the Garnet and Grey Community Engagement Award. 

In addition, Kevin Domingue was selected as the Gee-Gees Career Achievement Award recipient for the cumulative impact of his athletic career at uOttawa, making an indelible mark on the history of the Gee-Gees. Kevin was selected as the recipient this year among all varsity student-athletes. 

"Kevin's energy and will to win are exceptional and that is reflected in what he was able to accomplish on the ice," says Gee-Gees head coach Pat Grandmaïtre. "Beyond the statistics and the goals he scored, he's also marked our program with his involvement in the community and his leadership. Thank you Kevin for all of your hard work and your passion that you brought to the program."

Domingue joined the Gee-Gees in 2016 and led the team in scoring in each of his four seasons, ultimately tallying 71 goals and 127 points in his 112 regular season games. In 2017-18 he ranked second in U SPORTS with 19 goals, and in 2019-20 he was second in OUA with 18. He holds the Gee-Gees all-time record for goals scored in the regular season and ranks third in career points.

At the OUA conference level, he ranks second all-time in goals scored – just two shy of breaking the record. 

Domingue's individual stats contributed to the rise of the men's hockey program as a whole, and his playoff performances were also substantial. He scored in three elimination games in 2019-20 as well as in the OUA semi final and championship, helping to lift the team to a nationals berth and a national ranking as high as no. 3.

He was a two-time league all-star and also contributed to the Gee-Gees community as a volunteer at minor hockey events, summer camps, and various campus events. After trying to complete his fifth season at uOttawa in 2020-21, Domingue joined the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL and is now playing in England with the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL.

Most Valuable Player and President's Award: Jacob Hanlon 

Jacob Hanlon's well-roundedness was on full display this year as he began his Master's in Environmental Sustainability, mentored a large group of rookies as the sole fifth-year on the team, and continued to work hard on the ice. He did not skip a beat this season despite the circumstances, and continued to hold the bar high for team expectations. 

An Academic All-Canadian in 2019-20, Hanlon was the team's academic advisor this year. He also created the "Our Sustainable Future" to share information to help individuals live a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Hanlon's leadership qualities and his positive attitude make him the MVP and President's Award winner this season. 

Garnet and Grey Community Engagement Award: Yvan Mongo 

Named captain of the team in October, Mongo has already made an impact on the program. Mongo has taken the lead for many initiatives for anti-racism, starting with the creation of a community outreach program, Mongo's Brave Buddies initiative. As an External Communication Officer for the Black Student-Athletic Advocacy Council, he has made himself available for many interviews with media this year and helped to build the Council's influence on campus.

True Sport Award: Jean-Robin Mantha 

JR was expected to be an impact player this season with the men's hockey team's group of large freshmen, but with COVID implications he has been forced to wait another year to return to the ice. After making his return to game play last season following his chemotherapy treatments for testicular cancer, this season he has continued to bring a positive attitude every single day. JR is committed to returning again next season after getting accepted into Teacher's College. Looking ahead to next fall, JR will be playing his second game in his last 3.5 years; that's true determination and commitment to being a Gee-Gee.