QMJHL Players of the Month Named for February 2023
Published on March 1, 2023 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) News Release
Forward of the Month
Riley Kidney - Gatineau Olympiques - 10GP, 6G, 18A, 24Pts
For the second month in a row, Kidney has earned Player of the Month honors while the Olympiques spent February being literally unbeatable. Since arriving in Gatineau at the trade deadline, the 19-year-old from Enfield, Nova Scotia has been a key figure on the club's top line, recording a point in every game during the month, part of a long 17-game point streak. Kidney closed out the month with five straight multi-point contests, including a five-assist night against Cape Breton on the 18th, followed by four helpers against Rouyn-Noranda the very next afternoon. Effective in all three zones, the fourth-year veteran recorded a +14 rating for the second straight month.
Following up on an outstanding 100-point campaign with Acadie-Bathurst in 2021-22, the Montreal Canadiens second rounder enters the final month of the regular season third in league scoring with 91 points in 49 games. That includes 46 points in 18 games with the Olympiques, who are currently riding a 13-game win streak.
Honorable Mention
Jordan Dumais - Halifax Mooseheads - 11GP, 12G, 11A, 23Pts
Defenseman of the Month
David Spacek - Sherbrooke Phoenix - 10GP, 2G, 12A, 14Pts
One of several players on the roster who epitomizes the smooth, steady play of the Western Conference leading Sherbrooke Phoenix is David Spacek. Offensively, the 19-year-old Czech blueliner recorded multiple points in five encounters last month, including three in a row from February 3 to 10. Defensively, he has yet to record a game with a minus rating in 2023. His incredible +24 rating for the month included a +6 outing in Saint John on the 17th. The sophomore's presence has been a driving force behind the Phoenix's current run of 12 straight games with at least one point earned.
A fifth-round selection of the Minnesota Wild at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Spacek sits eighth among QMJHL defensemen with 44 points in 47 games. He recently led Team Czechia to a silver medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, the nation's first medal at the event in 18 years.
Honorable Mention
Tristan Luneau - Gatineau Olympiques - 10GP, 3G, 13A, 16Pts
Goaltender of the Month
Francesco Lapenna - Gatineau Olympiques - 7-0-0-0, 1.69 GAA, .944 SV%
Francesco Lapenna reentered the Olympiques lineup on the first day of February, following a brief absence. He's done many things since then but losing isn't one of them. The 20-year-old from Laval, Quebec allowed two goals or fewer in every appearance last month. Lapenna kicked the month off by turning aside 33 shots in a win against Moncton. That performance would be followed by, among others, a 38-save outing in a shootout victory over Halifax on the 8th, back-to-back victories over the OHL-best Ottawa 67's in interleague play on the 9th and 11th, as well as a 34-stop triumph over Chicoutimi on the 23rd.
Acquired from the Charlottetown Islanders at the holiday trade period, Lapenna sports a 12-2-1-0 record since making his way to Gatineau. He currently sits among the league leaders in wins (24), goals against average (2.48) and save percentage (.920%).
Honorable Mention
Olivier Adam - Sherbrooke Phoenix - 6-0-0-1, 1.55 GAA, .936 SV%, 2 SO
Rookie of the Month
Matyas Melovsky - Baie-Comeau Drakkar - 10GP, 1G, 12A, 13Pts
Since coming back from injury in late January, Matyas Melovsky has been on a roll, riding a 13-game point streak entering March. The Czech center produced a pair of helpers on three occasions during the month, including contests against top-tier squads in Quebec and Victoriaville. His lone goal during the month was a shorthanded tally against Shawinigan on the 4th. Overall, his first season in North America has been impressive, while the Drakkar aims to solidify its place in the Eastern Conference standings as the postseason looms.
Melovsky's solid 2023 performances have vaulted him into first among all Q rookies in assists with 38, and up to third in points with 44 in 49 games. He spent the 2021-22 season with HC Vitkovice in Czechia U20 ranks, averaging just over a point per game.
Honorable Mention
Jacob Steinman - Moncton Wildcats - 5-4-0-1, 2.88 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2023
- Islanders Issue Reminder on Ticket Redemption Policy - Charlottetown Islanders
- QMJHL Players of the Month Named for February 2023 - QMJHL
- Red Wings Sign Alexandre Doucet - Halifax Mooseheads
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