May 23, 2013
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Hellebuyck Cleans up at NAHL Awards

May 7, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) Odessa Jackalopes

FRISCO, TX - As part of the annual NAHL Awards Banquet, the North American Hockey League announced Sunday that Odessa Jackalopes goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been named to the 2011-12 All-NAHL Team and, along with Wenatchee Wild netminder Robert Nichols, shares the "˜Brian's Goaltender of the Year' and 2011-12 NAHL Rookie-of-the-Year Awards. All NAHL Award honorees are determined according to a vote among NAHL Head Coaches and team executives.

A Commerce, Michigan native, Hellebuyck distinguished himself during the 2011-12 campaign as one of the NAHL's finest netminders, finishing the regular season with a 26-21-5 record, three shutouts and a 2.49 goals-against average. The 6'4" backstop and hopeful 2012 NHL draftee anchored the Jackalopes' 2011-12 playoff run, turning in league-leading totals in appearances (53), minutes played (3084:37) and total saves (1695), all the while earning the league's second-best save percentage (.930).

Already the 2011-12 "˜Bill & Tracey Nyborg Jackalopes Most Valuable Player', "˜Jackalopes' Rookie of the Year' winner, a 2011-12 NAHL All-Rookie First Team honoree and member of the 2011-12 All-South Division Team, Hellebuyck's five 2011-12 NAHL Awards are the most earned by any NAHL player this season.

Other winners at the 2012 NAHL Awards Banquet included All-NAHL Team members Gabe Levin, JT Osborn and Sean O'Rourke (Fairbanks), 2011-12 Defenseman of the Year and All-NAHL'er John Rey (Amarillo) and 2011-12 All-NAHL forward, NAHL Most Valuable Player and Forward of the Year Joe Kalisz (St. Louis). Port Huron Fighting Falcons Head Coach Bill Warren is the 2011-12 NAHL Coach of the Year, Fairbanks Ice Dogs General Manager Rob Proffitt is the 2011-12 NAHL GM of the Year and the Amarillo Bulls are the 2011-12 NAHL Organization of the Year.

Additional winners on Sunday include 2011-12 Academic Achievement Award honoree Alex Globke (Port Huron), 2011-12 "˜Gongshow Lifestyle Community Service Award' recipient Brooks Behling (Amarillo) and the winner of the 2011-12 "˜Mark Messier Leadership Award', Jack Price, captain of the 2012 Robertson Cup Tournament hosts, the Texas Tornado.

In 2012-13, the Odessa Jackalopes drop the puck on their second season as a member of the North American Hockey League. Season ticket packages for the Jacks' sophomore campaign are available now starting at just $179. To reserve your seats, contact the Jackalopes' ticket office today at 432-552-7825 or log on to www.jackalopes.org for more information.

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North American Hockey League Stories from May 7, 2012


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