The Redeemer University College Badminton program has compiled a long list of ‘firsts’ in its brief history in the OCAA. On Friday, February 20, Owen Kurvits added to that list. At the Provincial Championship Awards Banquet, Kurvits was named the 2014-15 OCAA Male Badminton Player of the Year. Kurvits put together an incredible season, going 35-2 in the Men’s Singles division and being named an OCAA All-Star. He continued that dominant play at the OCAA Provincial Championship in London, ON — Kurvits did not drop a single game the entire tournament, winning 14 straight to finish with a 7-0 match record. Kurvits defeated Humber’s Jessie Assing in the Gold Medal game to win his second consecutive provincial championship. His accomplishments this year built on an equally impressive 2013-2014 season where he was named an OCAA All-Star, won the Provincial Championship in Men’s Singles, and captured 4th place at the CCAA National Championships. Kurvits was also awarded the CCAA Fair Play award last year in recognition of his respect for the game and the respect for his opponents. Kurvits is the second Redeemer athlete to be named as an OCAA Player of the Year. Three-time All-Canadian Men’s Volleyball star Ryan Talsma was named Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year in 2009-2010.