Sports stats



CHL Central Hockey League

Wichita's Kevin Young Named CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman

March 22, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


GLENDALE, AZ (March 22, 2013) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Kevin Young of the Wichita Thunder has been named the recipient of the 2012-13 Central Hockey League's Most Outstanding Defenseman award.

The honor is "˜presented annually to the Central Hockey League defenseman who has demonstrated the greatest all-round ability in the position' and is determined through balloting of CHL head coaches, communications departments and selected media members in each market.

Young was named a member of the All-CHL team earlier this week and now takes home the top individual honor for league defensemen. The White Rock, British Columbia native won more than half of the 44 votes cast (25 votes) beating out Allen's Tyler Ludwig who finished second with nine votes. Other finalists for the top defenseman award were Quad City's Matt Duffy, Missouri's Dave Pszenyczny and Fort Worth's Ross Rouleau.

Young leads all defensemen in scoring with 53 points and is also tops with 20 goals scored. On the season, the 6-2, 195-pound d-man is a +12 and is tied for the lead among blue liners with 10 power play goals.

The 30-year-old defenseman joins Andrew Martens (2010-11) and Paul Esdale (2004-05) as previous Wichita players to win this award.

Of his 79 career CHL regular season games, 71 of them have been with Wichita and eight were with Bossier-Shreveport (2010-11). Young played in 14 games during the Mudbugs 2011 Championship Run and last season played in 16 post-season games for the Thunder who made it all the way to the CHL Finals. Most of Young's eight year pro career has been spent playing overseas.

The CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender (Scott Brower Award) will be given out later today (Friday, March 22) and the CHL Most Valuable Player recipient will be announced on Monday, March 25.

CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman (previous winners, since 2001)

2012-13 - Kevin Young (Wichita)

2011-12 - Riley Weselowski (Rapid City)

2010-11 - Andrew Martens (Wichita)

2009-10 - Aaron Schneekloth (Colorado)

2008-09 - Aaron Schneekloth (Colorado)

2007-08 - Vladimir Hartinger (New Mexico)

2006-07 - Brad Williamson (Colorado)

2005-06 - Serge Dube (Laredo)

2004-05 - Paul Esdale (Wichita)

2003-04 - Bernie John (Indianapolis)

2002-03 - Michel Periard (Laredo)

2001-02 - Daniel Tetrault (Austin)

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

CHL Rookie of the Year - Mike Hellyer, Quad City Mallards

CHL Coach of the Year - Dan Wildfong, Fort Worth Brahmas

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2013


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