Hanover Barons goaltender Derek Hartley has been named Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Playoff MVP.
Hartley backstopped the Barons through a remarkable 27-game playoff stretch, finishing with a 22-3-0-2 record and a sparkling .926 save percentage. The 20-year-old led all PJHL goaltenders in postseason wins (22), minutes played (1,643), shots faced (833), and shutouts (3).
Hanover completed a four-game sweep of the Essex 73's to hoist the 2025 Schmalz Cup, winning the final in dramatic fashion with a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 4. Down 4-1 entering the third period, the Barons stormed back with goals from captain Ryan Colquhoun, Sam Barrett, and Danny Scott before Hanover native Aaron Dukeshire buried the Cup winner 10:30 into overtime.
The sweep marked the Barons’ first all-Ontario title since 1991, and the second in franchise history. Hanover had endured a difficult stretch prior to the pandemic, but in the four years since, they’ve become a powerhouse, winning back-to-back Pollock Division and North Conference titles.
While the Barons featured a balanced attack with four of the league’s top postseason scorers, it was Hartley’s consistency that kept them rolling. After posting 25 regular season wins, a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage, Hartley elevated his game in the playoffs, shutting down high-powered opponents including Fergus, Orillia, Napanee, and finally Essex.
The Barons finished the postseason 24-5 overall, including a near-perfect 12-2 record on the road. Hartley was in net for every game.