Players of the Month - Dec, 2016

Players of the Month - Dec, 2016

The Greater Metro Junior 'A' Hockey League has announced the 'Players of the Month' for December of the 2016-2017 hockey season.

The 'Players of the Month' honors is a distinction awarded to the player who is adjudged the best at his position & rookie through each month of the season.

(All stats listed as of January 10th, 2016)

Forward - Viacheslav Chegrintcev , Tottenham Steam

"Slava" the reigning GMHL MVP, is on a new team this season, but still doing the same kind of damage. Following a scenery change that saw him move from Alliston to Bradford in the offseason it appears that Tottenham has been near a perfect stomping ground for Chegrintcev this season. Despite only playing in 25 games so far this season, number 9 for Tottenham has put up big numbers, on the season he has 75 Points (39G, 36A) which is good enough for 8th league wide even while playing in at least 5 less games that anyone higher than him on the list. If he continues to produce at this level there is no doubt the 1996 born Russian will continue to climb up the all time league points and goals leader board where he currently sits 6th and 2nd respectively.

Honorable mention to teammate Dmitri Russu, the 1997 born forward also from Russia played alongside Viacheslav last season in Alliston and once again is with the dynamic player in Tottenham. Russu is another player who has not played the whole season (only 14 games) yet has produced extremely well with 49 points (25G, 24A). This combination of forwards has made the Steam a very dangerous team to play especially as they head towards the end of the season.

Defenceman -Derek Atwood, Toronto Predators 

Defensemen Derek Atwood, a former Rama Aces first round draft pick, is playing in his final season in the league after time in Rama, Toronto (Attack) and most recently the captain of the Oshawa Riverkings, Atwood seems to have found a home to make a run in Toronto once again this time with the Predators. An All star this year Atwood has saved his best for last, in his final season he has produced an elite shutdown ability to go along with a point per game production offensively to the tune of 31 Points (11G, 20A) in 31 games. The 1995 born Whitby native Atwood is hoping to help the Predators make a run in the upcoming playoffs.

Goaltender -Kristaps Nazarovs, Almaguin Spartans

Kristaps Nazarovs has been the backbone of an Almaguin team proving to be a dangerous contender in the North Division. The 1995 born goalie from Latvia is 6-9 this season while facing off against some of the league's top offenses in the Rattlers and the Islanders. Nazarovs has a GAA of 3.55 and a fantastic Save Percentage of 0.912. If Nazarovs stays healthy and the Spartans keep playing well this team is very dangerous.

Rookie - Ivan Skvortsov, West Nipissing Lynx

Ivan Skvortsov is 4th on his team in scoring with 23 Points (11G, 12A), has scored a game winning goal, and has become a fan favorite, oh and did we forget to mention that the Russian born forward is only 17 (16 when the season began). Ivan is on pace to carve out as an elite player in the league should he continue this pace, and we are sure West Nippising couldn't be happier.