Andrew Martens Named CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman
March 25, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- Wichita Thunder defenseman Andrew Martens has been named the Central Hockey League's 2011 Most Outstanding Defenseman.
Martens has skated in 62 of the Thunder's 63 games this season and is currently tied for second among CHL defensemen with 52 points. Martens is tied for fourth with 14 goals, and ranks ninth in shot percentage at .101. A native of Alberta, Canada, Martens has a plus/minus rating of +5 and has scored 47 points over his last 48 games.
Since November 24th, Martens has not gone more than two consecutive games without a point. The 29-year old Martens has had three point streaks this season of five or more games, including a seven-game streak from January 25th-February 12th. On February 5th at Fort Wayne, Martens became the first defenseman since the CHL's merger with the WPHL to score four goals in a game, turning the trick in a span of just 5:17.
Martens is the first Thunder player to earn a major CHL award since Paul Esdale was named Most Outstanding Defenseman in 2005. Earlier this week, Martens was named to the 2011 All-CHL Team.
Including this year, Martens has now scored at least 30 points in five consecutive seasons. The sixth-year professional played three years of college hockey at Bemidji State University before turning pro in 2006 with the ECHL's Greenville Grrrowl. Martens saw extensive time in the AHL during the 2008-09 season with Manitoba and Toronto.
The Thunder hosts the Mississippi RiverKings tonight at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the arena box office at (316) 755-SEAT or visit the Thunder's official website at www.wichitathunder.com For information on Thunder playoff tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
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