The co-recipients of the 2014 CJHL Rookie of the Year Award are Jake Walman of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) and Chris Gerrie of the Olds Grizzlys (AJHL).
Jake Walman, Toronto Jr. Canadians, OJHL (43GP, 7G – 26A – 33PTS) - The 17-year old defenceman was one of the biggest surprises on the Jr. Canadiens blueline this season and shot up the NHL scouting radar throughout the course of his rookie OJHL season. His play led him to be named the top-ranked OJHL and CJHL Prospect for the 2014 NHL Draft, as well as most recently being named winner of the OJHL and CJHL Top Prospect Award. Walman recorded 7 goals, 26 assists and 33 points in 43 regular season games played, ranking him second on the club among rearguards. Other highlights of Walman’s impressive rookie campaign included being named a member of Team Canada East for the 2013 World Junior 'A' Challenge and being named to the OJHL South-East Conference All-Star Team that would finish as runner-up at the 2013 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge. Walman is committed to Providence College beginning with the 2014-15 Hockey East season.
Chris Gerrie, Olds Grizzlys, AJHL (60GP, 18G – 25A – 53PTS) - Gerrie led all AJHL rookies in goals, assists and points and was second in team scoring with an average of 0.9 points per game. His 19 powerplay assists placed him among the top 3 AJHL scorers. Gerrie was a unanimous choice for the 2013-2014 AJHL All-Rookie team and was named the 2013-2014 AJHL Rookie of the Year. Gerrie made an immediate impact to the Grizzlies' line-up with 27 points in his first 28 games. Gerrie was selected as the Player of the Game five times in his rookie season. During the opening months of his rookie campaign, the 17 year-old committed to Michigan Tech University for the 2016-2017 season.
Each of the 10 leagues in the CJHL submitted a candidate for all of the CJHL National Awards. Each league then ranked their top five players from among the 10 national nominees and the five players with the highest point total moved on as finalists to the final round of voting. The winners were then selected by a second and final point-based vote cast from all 10 leagues.