CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Beech Named CHL Goaltender of the Year

Published on March 20, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


(Southaven, MS) -- The Central Hockey League this afternoon (Friday) announced that Mississippi RiverKings goaltender Kevin Beech has been named the league's Goaltender of the Year for the 2008-09 season. The honor continues a season of many accolades for the Brantford, Ontario native.

During the course of the season, the 6-foot-3, 170 pound Beech has been recognized as CHL Sher-Wood Goaltender of the Month on two occasions, in January and February, and was named CHL Oakley Goaltender of the Week, also on two occasions, for the week ending November 9th, 2008 and for the week ending January 13th, 2009.

Kevin has been "between the pipes" for three of the four RiverKings' shutouts this year, the last one coming against Rapid City at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven on January 31st, 2009. It was his seventh career professional shutout. Beech also fashioned an eleven straight winning streak in the crease, a streak that was just recently ended with a 5-4 loss against Bossier-Shreveport at home on March 17th.

Entering tonight's action for the RiverKings at Bossier-Shreveport, Beech is the current league leader for games played (49) and minutes played (2966), goaltender victories (35), and he is tied for the league lead in shutouts (3). He has also been nominated for the CHL's Most Valuable Player post-season award.

RiverKings' Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Kaminski said his netminder is very deserving of the award. "Beech has been the backbone and a workhorse for the RiverKings this year," Kaminski said. "He has really turned into a professional, his hard work and determination has paid off with the confidence in himself and the guys in front of him."

Beech said he accepted the recognition as much a reflection on team success as in personal acoomplishment. "It's nice to get this type of recognition at the end of the season," Beech said, "But, at the same point I look as this as being a whole team award because the guys have been great in front of me all year long, so I have to give a lot of credit to them."

Kevin is in his third professional hockey season, the last two in the Central Hockey League. He started his pro career playing in six games with the American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons in 2006-07 and has played in the CHL with Laredo and Youngstown, before signing with Mississippi during this past off-season.

The RiverKings return to action tonight against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at Bossier City, Louisiana, then host the Tulsa Oilers in Fan Appreciation Night, presented by 95.3 FM, "The Rebel," on Saturday, March 21st at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven. Game time is 7:05 PM both nights.

Mississippi is getting ready to get "Cup Crazy," as the run for the Ray Miron President's Cup post-season championship is about to begin. Don't miss out in any of the thrilling playoff action, get your playoff ticket packages today by calling the RiverKings front office at 662-342-1755 today!

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2009


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