TORONTO, ON – The Greater Toronto Hockey League is honoured to announce Ben Rigas as the recipient of the 2025 Roy Pejcinovski Memorial Goaltending Character Award. The recognition was formally awarded at the annual GTHL Awards Gala presented by Nothers The Award Store on June 12 at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Named in memory of Roy Pejcinovski, a beloved goaltender with the Under-15 Don Mills Flyers team whose life was tragically cut short, the award was created to recognize goaltenders who reflect Roy’s legacy of kindness, leadership, and community spirit. Roy was more than a standout goalie — he was a compassionate teammate, a respected opponent, and a leader admired by all who knew him.
Presented annually, the Roy Pejcinovski Memorial Goaltending Character Award honours a goaltender of any age and level in the GTHL who exemplifies positive character and extraordinary service to the community. Recipients must display traits such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. In addition to the recognition, the award includes a $2,000 bursary, which may be used toward a recognized goaltending school, training program, or post-secondary education.
This year’s recipient, Ben Rigas, has spent nine seasons in the GTHL, most recently as a goaltender with the Mississauga North Stars. A well-rounded student-athlete, Rigas is also a multi-sport competitor, having played on both the Senior Varsity Football Team and RCI Baseball Team. His discipline and academic achievement are equally impressive — in 2022, he ranked in the top 25 per cent of the Waterloo Mathematics and Computing Competition.
Beyond the rink and the classroom, Rigas is known for his quiet leadership, team-first mentality, and strong moral character — qualities that made him a natural choice for this honour. He leads by example, offering support to teammates, and showing respect to everyone around him. After graduation, Rigas will pursue Biomedical Engineering and Medical Services.
Each award winner at the GTHL Awards Gala also received a $250 gift card courtesy of Esso to support their continued journey in hockey and beyond.
Congratulations to Ben Rigas, the 2025 Roy Pejcinovski Memorial Goaltending Character Award recipient. Your commitment to excellence, both in sport and in service, keeps Roy’s legacy alive and continues to inspire our hockey community.
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