IceMen Land in CHL Best of Best Awards
March 8, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN--- Three Evansville IceMen players have been recognized and honored today in the Central Hockey League's annual "Best of the Best" balloting conducted through the CHL in conjunction with the 18-member clubs.
For the IceMen, veteran defenseman MARIO LAROCQUE ranked #1 in the CHL for having the "Hardest Shot." Center BRIAN BICEK ranked #2 in the CHL in the category of "Fastest Skater." Center NICKLAS LINDBERG was rated #3 in the league under the category of "Most Gentlemanly Player."
LAROCQUE, 32, is presently in his 13th pro season and his first in the CHL and with IceMen. The former top draft pick of the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning ranks second in the CHL among defensemen in both total goals (15) and GWG (3) while his 210-SOG also rank as runner-up in the league among this season's blue line brigade. The 6-4, 220lb bulwark is listed ninth overall in CHL defense scoring with 55(15-24-39) with 18 of those points produced on the power play; (4-14-18). In his last 11-games, "The Rock" is 11(5-7-12).
BICEK, 25, is currently enjoying his best season yet in the pro ranks as Evansville's second leading scoring impresario this season. The third year pro has engineered 56-points in 58-games on a team-high and career-high 24-goals and 32-assists. The product of Western Michigan U., shares the league-leadership in SHG with 5, having also delivered 3-GWG, 5-PPG and three 2-goal performances for Evansville. As the IceMen's lone representative to the 2010-11 CHL All-Star Game, January 12th in Rapid City, "Ice-Bice-Baby" bedazzled in registering a 3-goal "hat trick" and brilliant +4 rating for his night's work. Evansville's "Pocket Rocket" in his last 7-games; 7(4-4-8); last 22-games; 22(10-15-25).
LINDBERG, 30, is in his 8th pro season and his initial campaign under the employ of Evansville. The Stockholm, Sweden import has been absolutely extraordinary all season long. He begins this week, ranked 14th in CHL league-wide scoring, having topped his club in point production since opening night. In 58-games, the 5-11, 190lb playmaking pivot has fashioned 64-points on 15-goals, 49-assists with team highs of 8-PPG, 18-PPA and 26-PP/points. Moreover, "Slick Nick" has emerged prominently as his team's most proficient performer in the OTSO, connecting at a .600 clip; 3/5. The consummate model of consistency in point-proficiency all season, Lindberg, currently is 7(2-7-9) in the last 7-games and 21(3-20-23) in the last 21-games.
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