Sports stats



IHL Reveals 2008-09 All-Rookie Team

April 15, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release


ROCHESTER, MI--- The International Hockey League (IHL) announced today the 2008-09 All-Rookie Team as selected by league head coaches, general managers and members of the media.

2008-09 IHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

Goaltender - Ryan Ludzik, Bloomington PrairieThunder

Defenseman - Derek Merlini, Port Huron Icehawks

Defenseman - Rob Jarvis, Kalamazoo Wings

Forward - Rick Cleaver, Kalamazoo Wings

Forward - Tommy Lange, Kalamazoo Wings

Forward - Rick Varone, Fort Wayne Komets

Ryan Ludzik (G), Bloomington PrairieThunder -The 20-year-old native of Niagara Falls, Ontario completed the regular season with a 10-10-2-2 record. He posted a 3.81 goals against average and a .891 save percentage in 27 games played during his rookie season. He went on a personal season-high three game winning streak from January 30th-February 8th, defeating Flint, Muskegon and Kalamazoo. Ludzik earned the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the Week honors three times during the 2008-09 season.

Derek Merlini (D), Port Huron Icehawks -The 23-year-old Clinton Township, Michigan native registered 30 points in his second professional season, scoring nine goals and dishing out 21 assists in 73 games played. He registered a career high in points, goals and assists this season. He completed the 2008-09 season with a plus-29 rating, which ranked first among rookies and second among the IHL and defenseman. Merlini earned the Aquafina Rookie of the Week honors during week 13 and week 22.

Rob Jarvis (D), Kalamazoo Wings -The 24-year-old native of Ottawa, Ontario posted 36 points during his rookie campaign, scoring 11 goals and 25 assists in 72 games played. Of those 11 goals, three were on the power play and one was scored shorthanded, which ranked him second among IHL defenseman in those categories. Jarvis also recorded three game-winning goals for the K-Wings. His 36 points made him the IHL's most productive rookie defenseman during the 2008-09 season.

Rick Cleaver (F), Kalamazoo Wings -The 25-year-old Port McNeill, British Columbia native ranked first among IHL rookies in scoring with 27 goals and 34 assists for 61 points during his rookie season. He also led all rookies in power play goals (8), power play assists (11) and was second in shots with 257. He went on an eight-game point streak from March 17th-April 3rd, registering three goals and eight assists during that stretch. Cleaver was named the Aquafina Rookie of the Week three times, as well as Rookie of the Month for December. He was also named the Aquafina Rookie of the Year last week by the IHL.

Tommy Lange (F), Kalamazoo Wings - The 21-year old native of St. Louis, Missouri completed his rookie season ranked fourth among IHL rookies in scoring with 49 points. He scored a total of 25 goals and 24 assists in 75 games played. His 25 goals ranked him second among rookies, which he led in shots on goal with 258. He tied an IHL-high six-game goal streak, recording seven goals during the streak. He was named the Aquafina Rookie of the Week three times and Rookie of the Month for March.

Rick Varone (F), Fort Wayne Komets -The 26-year-old Woodbridge, Ontario native finished the 2008-09 season scoring 55 points, scoring 23 goals and 32 assists. He wrapped up his rookie season being ranked second among IHL rookies in points (55) and assists (32). He registered eight multi-game point streaks during the year, beginning the season on a six-game point streak. During that streak, he registered four goals and dished out five assists. Varone was named the Aquafina Rookie of the Week for the first week of the season.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 15, 2009


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central