QMJHL Sweeps

Press Release

TORONTO, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Nicola Riopel of the Moncton Wildcats is the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 8. Riopel won three games with one shutout posting a goals-against-average of 0.67 and a save percentage of .971.

Riopel started his week on Thursday at home to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies where he made 21 saves in the 6-1 win. His best game of the week was on Saturday when the Wildcats hosted the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Riopel earned second star of the game honours with his fifth shutout of the season turning aside all 23 shots fired his way. Riopel was sensational to finish the week on Sunday on the road in Saint John where he was recognized as first star of the game for making 33 saves to beat the Sea Dogs 3-1.

Riopel, a 19-year-old from St-Pie-de-Bagot, QC is in his third full QMJHL season with the Wildcats. Riopel leads the league with 35 wins including five shutouts, which is tied for the top mark in the QMJHL. His goals-against-average of 1.90 and save percentage of .935 are both best amongst all goaltenders. Riopel was also the recipient of this award for the week ending October 26.

Mark Guggenberger of the Kelowna Rockets represents the WHL nominee for the award. The Richfield Minnesota native went 3-0-0-0 with a goals-against-average of .970 and a save percentage of .947. Peter Di Salvo of the OHL’s Barrie Colts won his two games where he was named second star and third star posting a goals-against-average of 1.94 and a save percentage of .952 with 83 saves.

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Press Release

TORONTO, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Yannick Riendeau of the Drummondville Voltigeurs is the Boston Pizza CHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 8. Riendeau scored five goals, including two game-winners, and seven assists for 12 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

On Tuesday Riendeau opened the scoring and would add a second goal in the second period to lead the Voltigeurs to a 6-2 win over the Victoriaville Tigres. Riendeau was named first star of the game. Riendeau would factor in on all three goals on Friday scoring two, including the overtime winner, and adding one assist as first star of the game in the 3-2 Voltigeurs win at home over the Lewiston MAINEiacs. The two teams faced-off again on Saturday and Riendeau again led the charge offensively. His single goal would stand as the game-winner and his six assists would give him a career-best seven point game as second star in the 10-1 victory.

Riendeau, a 20-year-old, from Brossard, QC is enjoying is best year in his fifth QMJHL season. He was the first QMJHL player to reach the 100-point plateau and leads the league in points with that figure. He also leads in goals with 43 and assists with 57. His 13 game-winning goals are also the top mark in the league. Riendeau was also the recipient of this award for the week ending November 9 earlier this season.

Rookie Tyler Seguin of the Plymouth Whalers received consideration for this award from the OHL. Seguin scored three goals and three assists for six points in two games highlighted by a four-point game as first star in a 5-2 win over the Belleville Bulls. Matt Calvert of the Brandon Wheat Kings is the WHL nominee for scoring four goals and six assists for 10 points in three wins. His week was highlighted with a five-point performance as first star on Saturday with his first career hat-trick in the 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings.

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