Summaries by Taylor Dean
Forwards
Knut Hornkvist, San Diego Sabers
Hornkvist (‘04/Örnskoldsvik, Sweden) finished November with a 19-game points streak that began on Sept. 26, helping the San Diego Sabers with a seven-game win streak through most of the month. He scored two goals and had 17 assists in the seven games he played in November. This is Hornkvist’s first season with the Sabers and second in the Premier league, and his second Player of the Month nomination for this year.
Denver Craig, Ontario Jr. Reign
Another October Player of the Month, Craig (‘04/Carp, Ont.) rounded out the end of October and the month of November with an 11-game points streak and tied for fifth in most points in the league. He leads the franchise in points scored this season and is the Jr. Reign’s leader in all-time points per game at 3.06. Craig scored 21 points in six games in November, registering 12 goals and nine assists.
Sam Bailey, San Diego Sabers
Bailey (‘05/Escondido, Calif.) scored points in every game he played in November, including two game winning goals. The rookie posted nine goals and 10 assists in eight games for the San Diego Sabers. Bailey has 38 points across 23 games in his first season, with 20 goals and 18 assists.
Forward Honorable Mention: Simon Eriksson, Fresno Monsters
Defensemen
Chayce Tuton, Lake Tahoe Lakers
Tuton (‘06/Whitehorse, Yukon) has been a crucial player to help the Lake Tahoe Lakers hit the top of the Pacific Division standings at the end of November. He scored four goals and had nine assists last month, adding to his rookie season career total points of 27 for a 1 point-per-game average.
Jesse Nuutinen, Fresno Monsters
Nuutinen (‘06/Finland) is Player of the Month for the second time in a row for his stellar Premier league debut performance. He posted 13 points in November for the Fresno Monsters and is the highest scoring blueliner for the team this season. He ranks fourth in the league for highest scoring defensemen.
Honorable Mention: Jett McCullum, Ventura Vikings
Goaltender
Ryan Hicks: Ontario Jr. Reign
Hicks (‘05) went 3-1-0-0 in his Premier debut this month with the Ontario Jr. Reign. He has 133 saves on 143 shots for a .930 save percentage. His performance helped the Jr. Reign end November on a four-game win streak.
Honorable Mention: Parker Lewis, San Diego Sabers
Selection Process: The division’s coaches are presented with a ballot form with statistical leaders (ranked by points per game average for skaters and save percentage for goaltenders) and vote on that form. The league takes the results of that vote and presents the finalists to the coaches, who are able to vote on further changes if desired.
