Sunday, February 5, 2012

3HL announces Player and Goalie of the Month for January

Press Release

The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Combat Hockey Player of the Month and the Brian’s Custom Sports Goaltender of the Month for January. The honors were awarded to a pair of Flint Jr. Generals players as forward Richard Jansson was honored as the Combat Hockey Player of the Month, while goaltender Benjamin Myers was awarded the Brian’s Custom Sports Goaltender of the Month for the second straight month.

Jansson, 19, recorded an incredible 17 points during the month of January (5 goals, 12 assists) as Flint fashioned an 8-1-0 record and moved into 1st place in the 3HL’s East Division. The native of St. Pauli, Sweden recorded a point in six of the nine games and had five multi-point games of at least three points or more. He also recorded two game-winning goals. Jansson (6’1/180) ranks tied for 2nd in the 3HL with 33 assists and ranks in the Top 5 in points with 51 so far this season. Jansson’s best performance of the month came on January 21st when he recorded four assists in a 5-1 win over Queen City.

“Richard works hard and has done everything we have asked him to do,” said Flint head coach Jeff Worlton. “He is a big part of the team’s success. He is driven to succeed and we believe with his determination and work ethic, he is a player that will get to the next level of hockey.”

For the second month in a row, Flint Jr. Generals goaltender Benjamin Myers, 18, has been honored as the Brian’s Goaltender of the Month. The Wauwatosa, Wisconsin native won six of the seven games he appeared in during the month, recording a 6-1-0 record. Myers (6’2/195) posted a 1.58 goals against average during the month and also a 94.0% save percentage. Myers is 2nd in the 3HL in wins this season with 18 and ranks in the Top 9 in both goals against average and save percentage. Myers hasn’t allowed more than four goals in a game since mid-December. He best performance(s) during the month came in a weekend sweep of Cleveland in which he allowed just two goals in two games on 64 shots.

“Ben has been the backbone of this team the last two months,” said Worlton. “Most importantly, he has improved as the season has gone along, which tells us that he is working hard to become a better goalie every day. When he was awarded the starting job he ran with it and made it pay off, and he is a big reason why we are in 1st place right now.”

Other 3HL players nominated for the monthly awards were (alphabetical): Cameron Brown, forward, Peoria Mustangs - Matt Duncan, defenseman, Queen City Steam – Schuyler Ferguson, goaltender, Michigan Mountain Cats – Matt Grove, goaltender Granite City Lumberjacks – Bryan Hovanec, forward, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Dillon Kelley, goaltender, Metro Jets - Steve Klisz, forward, Metro Jets – James Koonce, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Matt Kroska, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Alex Lazarski, goaltender, Queen City Steam – Joey Lioy, forward, Battle Creek Jr. Revolution – Michael Parda, goaltender, Peoria Mustangs – Tyler Pionk, forward, Minnesota Flying Aces – Austyn Roudebush, goaltender, Toledo Cherokee – Joe Skrzynski, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Jackson Steltman, goaltender, North Iowa Bulls - Tyler Stepke, goaltender, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – DJ Vold, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: