NEWS: Lapenna earns Goaltender and Rookie of the Year Awards for OUA East, Verreault named to All-Star team

The historic season of Gee-Gees goaltender Franky Lapenna has been recognized by the OUA as he was named the recipient of two major awards on Thursday. Lapenna becomes the first Gee-Gee to win the OUA East Goaltender of the Year award and was also named the OUA East Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Star.

Fellow first-year Gee-Gee Luka Verreault was named to the OUA East Second Team All-Stars and both players were recognized on the OUA All-Rookie Team.

Lapenna led U SPORTS in save percentage (.942), and led the OUA (second in U SPORTS) in goals against with a 1.72 mark. Lapenna started 26 games, leading U SPORTS in minutes played. 

He recorded 19 wins in the regular season, ranking second in OUA and second in U SPORTS this season while establishing a new Gee-Gees team record. The previous Gee-Gees high was 17 wins by Paolo Della Bella in 1998-99.

Lapenna's goals against average (1.72) tied the Gee-Gees team record set by Mathieu Blanchard in 2005-06. Blanchard was the OUA Rookie of the Year in 2002-03; Lapenna is the fourth Gee-Gee recipient of the award.

On the offence, Luka Verreault led Ottawa in points with 13 goals and 15 assists, landing exactly at a point per game. The Rimouski Océanic product notched six power play goals during the regular season, also a team high. His 28 points ranked first among OUA rookies and 21st overall in OUA. Verreault is an accounting student from Rimouski, Que. 

The OUA Goaltender of the Year Awards were first presented in 2017-2018. The previous Gee-Gees Rookie of the Year Award winners are: Luc-Olivier Blain (2010-11), Mathieu Blanchard (2002-03), Alain Tardif (1992-93).