Two Nailers Named to ECHL All Rookie Team
March 28, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
The Wheeling Nailers, AA affiliate for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, are excited to announce that two of their players have received honors from the ECHL. Forward Chris Barton and defenseman Andrew Hotham have both been named to the 2011-12 ECHL All-Rookie Team.
Chris Barton joined the Nailers this fall, following a four-year collegiate career at Merrimack College that saw him produce 48 goals and 119 points in 141 games. The transition from the college game to the professional game was relatively seemless for Barton, as he netted a pair of goals in his second professional game, including a game winning goal, and a shorthanded goal in Wheeling's 4-1 triumph at South Carolina. After a hat trick in the final game of October, the Calgary, AB native carried his success into November, when he earned ECHL Rookie of the Month, posting seven goals, eight assists, and 15 points in ten games. Chris currently leads the Nailers in all offensive categories, recording 28 goals, 30 assists, and 58 points, while playing in 66 of the club's 69 games. He also appeared in three games with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
"It is definitely an honor to win an award like this, with so many great players in this league," said Barton. "The linemates I have had throughout the year have helped me, as well as the coaching staff here in Wheeling, and I would like to thank them all," he said.
Andrew Hotham is also enjoying his first full season of professional hockey, following a four-year collegiate career at St. Mary's University. Andrew's career-high in college was a 43-point campaign in his sophomore season, and he could surpass that this week. Hotham made his debut with the Nailers on October 14th, and picked up an assist in the club's 6-1 victory at Greenville, before netting his first career goal on October 28th in a 3-2 overtime win against Gwinnett. The Gladiators were the opposition again for the Barrie, ON native's most memorable game of the season, as he snagged two goals and two assists in a 5-1 win on Thanksgiving. That was one of two four-point games for Hotham, who also had four assists on January 29th against Toledo. Andrew is currently fourth on the team in scoring, but first among defensemen, as he has recorded eight goals, 33 assists, and 41 points, despite playing in just 49 games. Hotham's 0.84 points per game trail only Chris Barton (0.88) and Paul Crowder (0.87).
"I am grateful that my name was even in consideration for this award, as there are so many great players on our team, and in the league," Hotham said. "It is a great honor for me to receive this selection, and I would like to thank my teammates, who have helped me make the transition both on and off of the ice to the professional game," he said.
The complete 2011-12 ECHL All-Rookie Team:
G - Philipp Grubauer, South Carolina Stingrays (43 gp, 23-13-5, 2.22 GAA, .918 save pct.)
D - Andrew Hotham, Wheeling Nailers (49 gp, 8g, 33a, 41 pts., +11)
D - Mike Little, Stockton Thunder (67 gp, 9g, 28a, 37 pts., +20)
F - Chris Barton, Wheeling Nailers (66 gp, 28g, 30a, 58 pts., +13)
F - Dustin Gazley, Elmira Jackals (69 gp, 23g, 58a, 81 pts., +12)
F - Mathew Sisca, Cincinnati Cyclones (74 gp, 23g, 40a, 63 pts., +8)
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 28, 2012
- Idaho Loses One-Goal Heartbreaker - Idaho Steelheads
- Nice Guys Finish First: Ulanski Leads Eagles to Win in Home Finale - Colorado Eagles
- Royals Extend Win Streak with Shutout Win Over Wheeling - Reading Royals
- Express Score Three in the First to Neutralize Cyclones 4-1 - Chicago Express
- Elmira Nips Titans in Overtime - Trenton Titans
- Cheverie's Shutout Snaps Blades Four Game Win Streak - Florida Everblades
- Cyclones Fall in Chicago, 4-1 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Jackals Extend Winning Streak to Six on Demkov's Strike - Elmira Jackals
- Nailers Put up 55 Shots in Loss to Royals - Wheeling Nailers
- Gladiators Clinch Division Title with 2-0 Win over Everblades - Atlanta Gladiators
- Kalamazoo Captures Third Straight North Division Title - Kalamazoo Wings
- Colorado's Ulanski Wins ECHL Sportsmanship Award - ECHL
- Las Vegas Wranglers Raise Over $32,000 for St. Baldrick's - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Trent Daavettila Returns and K-Wings Sign Jonathan Harty - Kalamazoo Wings
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder at Idaho Steelheads - Stockton Thunder
- Condors Vs. Alaska Tonight - Bakersfield Condors
- Tomassoni, Tiesling Bolster Chicago Roster - Chicago Express
- ECHL Transactions - March 28 - ECHL
- Forward Kenny Ryan Assigned to Reading - Reading Royals
- Trenton Ownership Transfer Approved - ECHL
- Thunder Defenseman Mike Little Named to ECHL All-Rookie Team - Stockton Thunder
- Matt Sisca Named to ECHL All-Rookie Team - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Gazley Named to ECHL All-Rookie Team - Elmira Jackals
- Stingrays Goaltender Philipp Grubauer Named to ECHL All-Rookie Team - South Carolina Stingrays
- Two Nailers Named to ECHL All Rookie Team - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL All-Rookie Team Announced - ECHL
- Game Preview: Express Vs. Cincinnati Today - Chicago Express
- Walleye Receive Fournier and Rufenach from Grand Rapids - Toledo Walleye
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Chicago - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Nailers Announce Possible Playoff Dates - Wheeling Nailers
- Home Playoff Dates Announced - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Rynnas Becomes 489th ECHL Player to Reach NHL - ECHL
- ECHL Today - March 28 - ECHL
- Jackals Game Preview: Elmira at Trenton - Elmira Jackals
- Ontario Suffers in 3-0 Loss to Colorado - Ontario Reign
- Wranglers Take Down Aces in 4-2 Win - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Alaska Falls to Las Vegas 4-2 - Alaska Aces
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.
