A humble Mitch Marner says he wouldn't have been named the Ontario Hockey League's most outstanding player of the year if it wasn't for his teammates.
The London Knights forward was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy on Tuesday.
"It's pretty special. There are a lot of big names on there," says Marner. "It's a great award to be awarded but without my teammates who knows what would have happened this year. I might not have been on this trophy. I've got to give credit to them."
Marner finished third in OHL scoring with 116 points in 57 games. He had 39 goals and 77 assists this season and was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Knights General Manager Basil McRae says every member of the organization from management, to coaches, to teammates are proud of Marner.
"What's been important for us is that Mitch has not only been an exciting player on the ice but we've watched him over the last three years really mature and embrace the leadership role," says McRae. "He is a great role model for our young kids coming up."
The 18-year-old Thornhill native had forgotten the 2015-2016 award recipient was being named until OHL Commissioner David Branch called him.
"I remember I got out of the shower and saw a missed call from Mr. Branch. I was wondering what I was getting called for and thought I was in trouble so I was a little nervous and didn't want to call him back," says Marner. "I got another call back from him, congratulating me on the award and just how great of an honour it was."
Marner will mark his 19th birthday on Thursday when the Knights play Game 1 of the OHL Championship Series against the Niagara Ice Dogs at Budweiser Gardens.
The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the OHL. It was named after Albert "Red" Tilson who was killed in action during the Second World War.