Andrew Martens Named Most Outstanding Defenseman
March 25, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
TEMPE, AZ (March 25, 2011) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Andrew Martens of the Wichita Thunder has been named the recipient of the 2010-11 Central Hockey League's Most Outstanding Defenseman award.
The honor is ¬Ëpresented annually to the Central Hockey League defenseman who has demonstrated the greatest all-round ability in the position' and is determined through balloting of CHL head coaches, communications departments and selected media members in each market.
The Friendswood, Texas native appeared on 23 of 60 ballots edging Rio Grande Valley's Darcy Campbell who received 18 votes.
Martens currently ranks second among all defensemen with 52 points (14-38=52) with his 14 goals tied for fourth among all CHL blueliners. In his first year with the Thunder and sixth professional season, Martens has been one of the most prolific defensemen in the league since the start of December. In the 46 games since the beginning of December, the 6-1, 205-pound d-man has scored 12 goals with 33 assists for just under a point-a-game average. In January, Martens had a pair of goals, nine assists and was an astounding +17.
The former Bemidji State star has been a key component in the Thunder's turnaround winning 24 more games than last season (from nine wins to 33).
The CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender (Scott Brower Award) will be given put later today (Friday, March 25) and the CHL Most Valuable Player recipient will be announced on Monday, March 28.
CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman (previous winners, since 2001)
2010-11 - Andrew Martens (Wichita)
2009-10 - Aaron Schneekloth (Colorado)
2008-09 - Aaron Schneekloth (Colorado)
2007-08 - Vladimir Hartinger (Rapid City)
2006-07 - Brad Williamson (Colorado)
2005-06 - Serge Dube (Laredo)
2004-05 - Paul Esdale (Wichita)
2003-04 - Bernie John (Indianapolis)
2002-03 - Michel Periard (Laredo)
2001-02 - Daniel Tetrault (Austin)
2011 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:
CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year - George Bullock, Jr, Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year - Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush
CHL All-Rookie Team - Adam Chorneyko (COL), Aaron Lewicki (RGV), Alan Mazur (BLM), Wayne Savage (TEX), Gary Steffes (TUL) and David Strathman (ALN)
All-CHL Team - Darcy Campbell (RGV), Riley Nelson (COL), Robby Nolan (MIZ), Andrew Martens (WIC), Sebastien Thinel (ODE), Chad Woollard (TEX)
CHL Man of the Year - Simon Watson, Missouri Mavericks
CHL Rookie of the Year - Aaron Lewicki, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
CHL Coach of the Year - Jason Christie, Bloomington PrairieThunder
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2011
- 'Bugs Top Jacks to Clinch Second Place - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Mavericks Crush Killer Bees, 10-5 - Kansas City Mavericks
- Texas Closes Final Regular Season Home Game in Comeback Victory - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Mudbugs Hold on for 3-2 Win Over Jacks - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bucks Suffer Déjà vu' in Loss at Brahmas - Laredo Bucks
- PrairieThunder Get Home Ice Following 4-3 Overtime Win Against Evansville - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Eagles One Win Away From Turner Conference Title - Colorado Eagles
- Missouri Rallies to Beat Killer Bees - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- RiverKings Fall in Home Finale To Allen - Mississippi RiverKings
- Americans Sail Past Riverkings, 3-1 - Allen Americans
- Oilers Beat Thunder, Wichita Will be Fifth Seed - Wichita Thunder
- Dayton Holds Off Mallards 3-2 - Quad City Mallards
- Gems capture 3-2 win over Mallards - Dayton Gems
- Joel Martin Returns to Jackalopes - Odessa Jackalopes
- Mavericks' Robby Nolan Named CHL's Most Outstanding Goaltender - Kansas City Mavericks
- Robby Nolan Named Most Outstanding Goaltender - CHL
- Sundogs Activate Groenestege, Place Szuper on Injured Reserve - Arizona Sundogs
- Andrew Martens Named CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman - Wichita Thunder
- Andrew Martens Named Most Outstanding Defenseman - CHL
- Playoff Dates Announced - Tulsa Oilers
- Shots from the Point for March 25, 2011 - CHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
