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Willms, Ritter named NAHL Players of the Week

September 18, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release


MINNEAPOLIS - The North American Hockey League announced today that Southern Minnesota forward C.J. Willms and Marquette goaltender Stephen Ritter have been named the Sherwood/NAHL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week ending Sept. 17.

Willms, from North St. Paul, Minn., rang up five goals for seven points in four games at the NAHL Showcase Tournament, helping the Express to a 3-1 record at the event.

"C.J. definitely played like a veteran," said Southern Minnesota coach Pat Cullen. "He was solid in all situations: 5-on-5, penalty killing and power play. C.J. played like I expected him to play. He's going to be a leader for us this year, both on and off the ice."

Last season, the 19-year-old Willms struck for 12 goals for 24 points in 48 regular-season games for the Express.

Ritter, a Tenafly, N.J., native, posted a flawless 3-0 mark to compliment a 1.33 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage as the expansion Rangers posted a 3-1 record at the Showcase.

"Stephen's play is exactly what we expected from him, and obviously what a club in our position as an expansion team needs," said Rangers coach Leigh Mendelson. "His maturity and poise on the ice were a great help to our players as they got familiar with each other."

A freshman at Providence College last season, the 19-year-old Ritter is a 4-2-4 transfer student eligible for Division I hockey in 2007-08.

"I certainly expect him to attract a lot of NCAA interest," said Mendelson.

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