EPHL Announces the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year
March 24, 2009 - Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL) News Release
The Eastern Professional Hockey League today announced the winners of both the league's Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards. Goaltender Nick Niedert of the Jersey Rockhoppers has been chosen the EPHL Most Valuable Player and Brooklyn Aces forward C.J. Tozzo is the league's Rookie of the Year as voted upon by members of team and league management, ownership, and media representatives.
Nick Niedert was certainly the EPHL's "iron man" in addition to his selection as the league's Most Valuable Player. He appeared in 42 of the Jersey Rockhoppers 50 games and won 25 of the team's 32 victories. His 25 wins led all EPHL goaltenders as did his 2418 minutes played. Nick finished second in save percentage (90.5%) and posted a 3.80 goals against average. During the final two weeks of the regular season, the twenty-six year old native of Hudson, Iowa helped lead Jersey to four key victories, including two wins over first place Brooklyn and a big road victory in Danbury. In addition, he was between the pipes for two overtime victories and a shootout win during that time period. Down the stretch, Nick posted an outstanding 93.6% save percentage.
EPHL Rookie of the Year, C.J. Tozzo, came out of Niagara University and led not only the Brooklyn Aces in scoring but led the entire league with 96 points. C.J.'s 34 goals tied him for second behind Jersey's Tom Boudreau's 37 goals and his 62 assists put him right behind teammate Kyle McCullough's 64 assists. The New Rochelle, New York native tied for 4th in power play goals (7), was 2nd in power play assists (16), tied for 2nd in game winning goals (4), and led the EPHL in shorthanded goals (5).
Both Nick Niedert and C.J. Tozzo will be in action this week when the EPHL Championship Series gets underway at Aviator Sports & Recreation on Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Aces and Jersey Rockhoppers will play a best of three series. The Championship Series dates are:
Game #1: Thursday, March 26th @ 7:30pm
Game #2: Friday, March 27th @ 7:30pm
Game #3 (if necessary): Saturday, March 28th @ 7:30pm
For ticket information, please call 718-977-5930 or 718-758-7585 or go to www.clicknprint.com or www.brooklynaces.com
For additional information on the EPHL, please go to www.ephl.com
Eastern Professional Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2009
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