IGNAGNI NAMED GOALTENDER OF MONTH

Press Release

The OJHL announced today that St. Michael's Buzzers netminder Adrian Ignagni (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear Goaltender-of-the-Month for February after finishing with a 5-1-0 record, including a 1.65 goals against average during the month.

Named the September Player-of-the-Month in the South-East Conference last season, Ignagni once again earns the award after helping the Buzzers clinch the South Division regular season title for the second consecutive year with his 5-1-0 record, 1.65 goals against average and .956 save percentage in February.  Three times during the month, Ignagni would stop 40+ shots, including a 40 save, 1-0 shutout over the team the Buzzers would face in the playoffs, the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, in the second last game of the season.  The lanky goaltender would be named first star twice in six games and his five victories in February helped him top the OJHL charts with 30 wins on the season.  He would rank top ten in most statistical categories at the conclusion of the season, including third with a .927 save percentage and tied for fifth with four shutouts.

"Receiving this award means a lot and I would like to thank the OJHL for recognizing my play and our teams play as of late," said the Buzzers backstop upon hearing of the award.  "My team in front of me has been playing very well during the later parts of the season and have helped me accomplish what I have in the last month or so.  The season this year has had its ups and downs, like every season, but now it's time to shift my focus as an individual and our focus as a team to playoffs."

"Adrian's play this season has been outstanding, in particular his second half," said Buzzers' general manager and head coach Rich Ricci.  "He helped settle a young defence in the first half of the season.  Now he is ramped up and his play is dominant.  Adrian has matured into one of the league's premier goalies.  His compete level and desire to win separates him from others.  I expect that good things will come to him in short order as he leads our team for the balance of this season."

Charlie Finn of the Kingston Voyageurs was runner-up to Ignagni as the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month.  The January winner of the award and runner-up in October, once again posted impressive numbers with a 4-0-0 record, including a 1.22 goals against average and a .964 save percentage.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)