Quad City's Mike Hellyer Named CHL Rookie of the Year
Published on March 20, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
GLENDALE, AZ (March 20, 2013) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Quad City Mallards forward Mike Hellyer
has been selected the recipient of the 2012-13 Central Hockey League Rookie of the Year award following balloting among CHL head coaches, communications departments and selected media members in CHL markets.
The Rookie of the Year award is "Ëpresented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to be the most proficient in his first year of professional competition.'
In the closest vote in the history of the award, Hellyer won by just one vote receiving 15 of the 44 votes cast, while Allen goaltender Aaron Dell received 14 votes. The other finalists were Greger Hanson (WIC), Kenton Miller (MIZ) and Sy Nutkevitch (FTW).
The Brandon, Manitoba native leads all rookies in scoring with 60 points (23-37=60) and is tied for second among all first year players with a +13 plus/minus rating. Earlier this week, the 5-9, 170-pound rookie was named a forward on the CHL All-Rookie Team.
CHL All-Rookie Team Announced
Hellyer, 26, finished his college career at the University of Manitoba last Spring and then went on to play three games in Idaho (ECHL) and then three regular season games in Texas before playing a dozen playoff games with the Brahmas. In his 12 post-season contests, Hellyer posted three goals with three assists.
The CHL Coach of the Year will be announced on Thursday, March 21 and the CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman and Most Outstanding Goaltender (Scott Brower Award) will be announced on Friday, March 22. The CHL Most Valuable Player recipient will be announced on Monday, March 25.
CHL Rookie of the Year (previous winners, since 2001)
2012-13 - Mike Hellyer (Quad City)
2011-12 - Mark Guggenberger (Texas)
2010-11 - Aaron Lewicki (Rio Grande Valley)
2009-10 - Danny Battochio (Rapid City)
2008-09 - Darryl Smith (Laredo)
2007-08 - David Nimmo (Amarillo)
2006-07 - Cam Abbott (Bossier-Shreveport)
2005-06 - Jim Dahl (Tulsa)
2004-05 - Tyler Weiman (Colorado)
2003-04 - David Guerrera (Laredo)
2002-03 - Derek Hahn (Amarillo)
2001-02 - Sebastien Centomo (Memphis)
2012-13 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:
CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year - Vince Fedorowich, Arizona Sundogs
CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year - Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush
CHL All-Rookie Team - Aaron Dell (ALN), Greger Hanson (WIC), Mike Hellyer (QDC), Matt McCready (ARZ), Sy Nutkevitch (FTW) and Daniel Spivak (FTW)
All-CHL Team - Aaron Dell (ALN), A.J. Gale (DEN), Mickey Lang (QDC), Tyler Ludwig (ALN), Sebastien Thinel (MIZ) and Kevin Young (WIC)
CHL Man of the Year - Travis Wight, Wichita Thunder
Central Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2013
- Mallards' Hellyer Named Central Hockey League Rookie of the Year - Quad City Mallards
- Quad City's Mike Hellyer Named CHL Rookie of the Year - CHL
- Brahmas Open Three-Game Set with Sundogs Wednesday - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Americans Fall 4-3 in the First of a Home and Home with the Thunder - Allen Americans
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