Monday, February 2, 2009

SJHL Players of the Month

Press Release

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Winner: Matthew Kirzinger, Humboldt Broncos
1988 F Matthew Kirzinger (Leroy SK) is kicking his game into high gear at just the right time. Kirzinger, who missed much of the first half with an injury, led all SJHLers in January with 12-goals and 22-points in 12-games played. Kirzinger, who is one of the fastest skaters in Junior ‘A’ hockey in all of Canada, has 28-goals and 22-assists in 33-games. His points per game average of 1.52 means he would be challenging for a scoring title had he not missed a hugh chunk of time. He’s been held off the scoresheet only twice since December 9th (31-points in 19-games).

Runners-up: Brett Leedahl, Kindersley; Preston Shupe, Weyburn; Rylan Schwartz, Notre Dame; Tory Allan, Humboldt.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH
Winner: Tanner Vandesype, Humboldt Broncos
1988 D Tanner Vandesype (Radville SK) has been one half of a dynamic offensive pair with Brady Wacker this season. Vandesype lit up January with 3-goals and 12-assists in 11-games, giving him 19-goals and 38-assists in 48-games for the year. He ends the month on an eight game scoring streak and he had points in nine of the eleven games overall. He had two three-point games.

Runners-up: Brady Wacker, Humboldt; Michael Young, Flin Flon; Greg Coburn, Yorkton.

GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH

Winner: Tommy Legault, Estevan Bruins
1988 G Tommy Legault (Magog PQ) has been a big part of Estevan’s resurgence in the final weeks. Legault went through January with a 5-and-2 record, as well as a 1.70-GAA and .949-SPCT. He held opposing teams to one goal or less in four starts, including a shutout of Melville on January 23rd. For the season, Legault is 15-14-1-and-4, 2.82, .914, two shutouts.

Runners-up: Jordan Washburn, Melfort; Mathieu Larochelle, Humboldt; Andrew Bodnarchuk, Humboldt; Ryan Nieszner, Kindersley.

ROOKIE OF THE MONTH

Winner: Jaden Schwartz, Notre Dame Hounds
1992 F Jaden Schwartz (Wilcox SK) ended 2008 and began 2009 as a member of the fourth place Team West at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He returned to the Notre Dame Hounds and promptly fired six goals and eight assists in nine games. He capped the month with an SJHL Player of the Week selection in the final days of the month. For the season, he has 26-goals and 37-assists in 39-games; an average of 1.63 points per game.

Runners-up: Deven Stillar, Melfort; Leo Lacourciere, Humboldt; Alex Lamontagne, Flin Flon; Travis Gordon, La Ronge.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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