It turns out Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Darnell Nurse is just as successful in the classroom as he is on the ice.

The 18-year-old was awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy on Wednesday as the Ontario Hockey League’s Scholastic Player of the Year.

Nurse, who attends St. Mary’s College in Sault Ste. Marie, carried an 85 per cent average while taking six Grade 12 University Prep courses. The courses include International Business, Canadian Geographic World Issues,  Mathematics – Data Management, Mathematics – Advanced Functions, Religion – Catholic Social Justice, and Economics – Analyzing Current Economic Issues.

The Hamilton, ON product had 41 points in 68 games for the Greyhounds and credited his club with helping him earn the honor.

“Being a part of the Soo Greyhounds organization has allowed me to maintain, as well as further my academic studies at a high level,” Nurse said in a release.  “Winning this award is a great honour. I take pride both on and off the ice to develop not only as a player but also as a person.  This would not have been possible without the staff at the Soo Greyhounds organization, St. Mary’s College and St. Thomas More High School.”

Nurse is currently fifth in Future Considerations’ April ranking for the 2013 NHL Draft.