Schmaltz Cup MVP signs on with Oshawa Generals
Published September 6, 2023 at 8:24 am
Noah Bender may be only a 12th-round selection but it’s not every day the Oshawa Generals organization gets to sign a Schmaltz Cup playoff MVP.
Bender, who backstopped his Wellesley Applejacks to an Ontario Junior ‘C’ title last year – breaking the hearts of the Clarington Eagles in the process – signed an OHL scholarship and development agreement over the weekend and promptly got the call in net for the Generals in the team’s first exhibition game Monday in Kitchener.
Bender, taken with the 231st overall pick in 2022, split duties Monday with number #1 goalie Jacob Oster, giving up three goals in 30 minutes of work in a 5-3 loss to the Rangers.
The 6’4” Waterloo native had just four regulation losses all season and went 19-4-1 in the post season with the Applejacks last year, posting an impressive 2.34 GAA and .920 save percentage with two shutouts.