CHL Names Player, Goaltender of the Month
Published on November 5, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
The Central Hockey League has today announced the recipients of both the Player of the Month and Goaltender of the Month for October, 2002. New Mexico center Chris Richards has been named CHL Player of the Month, while Tulsa netminder Rod Branch has been honored as the CHL Goaltender of the Month for October.
Ontario native Richards led the New Mexico Scorpions to an outstanding record of 5-1-0 in October, recording points in all six contests. In New Mexico's five victories, Richards had multiple point outings and recorded two game winning goals. His finest performance of October came October 29th, scoring both the tying and winning goal in the Scorpions' 3-2 overtime win at Odessa. Richards played four seasons at Ohio State University before turning pro, and is in his second season with New Mexico. Last year, the 5-10, 170 center led the Scorpions with 27 goals and 39 assists.
In Tulsa, veteran goaltender Rod Branch has enjoyed a tremendous start to the season, winning all five contests for the Oilers in October. In five games the British Columbia native allowed just eight goals against, posting a save percentage of 95.7. In four of his five October wins, Branch made 30 or more saves, while his other victory was a 28-save 4-0 shutout against visiting Bossier-Shreveport on October 26th. The former Kamloops Blazer is in his ninth year of professional hockey, and his fifth as a member of the Oilers. In the 2000/2001 season, Branch claimed Playoff Most Valuable Player honors as a member of the Ray Miron Cup Champion Oklahoma City Blazers.
CHL Player of the Month - October
Chris Richards, New Mexico Scorpions
Position: Center
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Date of Birth: October 10, 1975
Hometown: Cornwall, Ontario
October Totals: Season Totals:
Games Played: 6 Games Played: 8
Goals: 6 Goals: 7
Assists: 8 Assists: 8
Points: 14 Points: 15
CHL Goaltender of the Month - October
Rod Branch, Tulsa Oilers
Position: Goaltender
Height: 5-09
Weight: 170
Date of Birth: April 14, 1975
Hometown: Fort St. John, British Columbia
October Totals: Season Totals:
Games Played: 5 Games Played: 7
Shots: 188 Shots: 237
Saves: 180 Saves: 228
W/L/OTL: 5-0-0 W/L/OTL: 7-0-0
Shutouts: 1 Shutouts: 2
Save %: 95.7 Save %: 96.2
Central Hockey League Stories from November 5, 2002
- Bats 7-0, Best in Team History - Austin Ice Bats
- Branch Named CHL Goalie of the Month - Tulsa Oilers
- Back-to-Back Weekend Home Games for the Gorillas - Amarillo Gorillas
- Scorpions' Richards Named CHL Player of the Month - New Mexico Scorpions
- CHL Names Player, Goaltender of the Month - CHL
- Bucks Claim Back-to-Back Wins - CHL
- Cotton Kings Weekly - Lubbock Cotton Kings
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