SteelHounds Dynamic Duo Named Finalists for CHL Most Valuable Player

Published on March 16, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown SteelHounds, in conjunction with the Central Hockey League (CHL), announced today that SteelHounds forwards Jeff Christian and Chris Richards have been named two of the six finalists for the CHL Most Valuable Player Award.

Balloting will take place among CHL Head Coaches, team Communications Departments and selected media members to determine the winner who will be announced at the end of the season.

Christian finished second in the voting last season to Amarillo's Derek Hahn and has trumped his career-year in 2005-06 with another outstanding season. In 55 games during the 2006-07 season, he has scored 35 goals with 72 assists and a league-leading 107 points. He also ranks among the league leaders in goals (fifth- 35), assists (first- 72), shorthanded goals (second- 6), power play goals (second- 16), shootout goals (first- 7) and plus/minus (first, +41). In January, Christian was named a starter for the Northern Conference All-Star Team for the second straight season. Last year, the Canfield resident had 107 points (55-52=107).

Richards is also beating his career campaign from a year ago that saw him score 92 points (22-70=92). This year the former Ohio State Buckeye is second to only Christian with 103 points and ranks among the league leaders in goals (second- 38), power play goals (first- 22), assists (second- 65) and plus/minus (second- +36). The Austintown resident was also a starter on this year's Northern Conference All-Star Team.

The duo are also battling it out for the Joe Burton Scoring Champion with Christian holding a four-point lead going into tonight's game versus Colorado. The two Hounds are 19 points better than any other player in the CHL (Arizona's Brent Kelly, 84 points). Christian and Richards are also the frontrunners for the CHL's 3-Star Award with both players tied with 75 points (13 better than Colorado's Riley Nelson who sits in third place). Christian won the award last season.

Joining Christian and Richards as finalists are Nelson, Kelly, Justin Quenneville of Corpus Christi and rookie defenseman John DeCaro of Bossier-Shreveport.

CHL Most Valuable Player Finalists:

Jeff Christian (Youngstown)- 107 points (35 goals, 72 assists)

Chris Richards (Youngstown)- 103 points (38 goals, 65 assists)

Brent Kelly (Arizona)- 84 points (40 goals, 44 assists)

Riley Nelson (Colorado)- 81 points (36 goals, 45 assists)

Justin Quenneville (Corpus Christi)- 70 points (29 goals, 41 assists)

John DeCaro (Bossier-Shreveport)- 21 wins, 2.24 goals against average, .930 save percentage

Other finalists announced today were for the CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman Award, the CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender Award and the CHL Rookie of the Year Finalists.

SteelHounds rookie goaltender Brad Roberts finished on the outside of both the goaltender and rookie award finalists despite an outstanding season of a 22-10-4 record and a 2.62 goals against average.

The SteelHounds final regular season home games are this weekend with contests versus the CHL's top point team, the Colorado Eagles. Face-off for Friday and Saturday's game is 7:05 PM and Sunday's game is set for 4:05 PM. For ticket information contact the Hounds at 330-747-PUCK.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2007


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.

OurSports Central