Wolves Announce January Player of the Month Award Winners
January 31, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Sudbury Wolves News Release
The Sudbury Wolves opened the new year with a strong start, posting a 7-5-0-0 record in the month of January. The Wolves made some key additions to the pack at the OHL Trade deadline earlier this month in acquiring defenceman Anthony DeMeo from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and forward Adam Ruzicka from the Sarnia Sting. With the playoff race heating up in the Central Division and Eastern Conference, the additions of Demeo and Ruzicka are a huge boost to an already top to bottom talented squad that will need to continue their winning ways down the stretch as they head into February fighting for key playoff positioning. Over the month of January, a few members of the wolf pack stood out to help kick off 2019 on a high note and their contributions have earned them January Player of the Month honours.
TESC Hardest Working Forward of the Month
The TESC Hardest Working Forward of the Month is Macauley Carson. The Midhurst, ON product was an absolute force for the Wolves scoring once and assisting on thirteen others to finish January with fourteen points in twelve games. This was an offensive break out for Macauley who opened the month with fourteen points and doubled his season point total to enter February with twenty-eight points on the year. From a defensive perspective, Carson continues to play a physical run and gun power forward game and is playing his best hockey of the season at just the right time. Macauley is continually relied on to shut down the other team's top scorers, establishing himself as one of the top shut down centremen in the Canadian Hockey League. The Sudbury Wolves would like to congratulate Macauley on his hard work, determination, and leadership that he has brought to the rink every day throughout the season and hope that he continues to have the same drive for success going forward.
TESC Hardest Working Defenceman of the Month
For a second straight month, the TESC Hardest Working Defenceman of the Month is Liam Ross. The 17-year old defenceman continues to be tremendous on the back end and has been a vital proponent of the team's success. From a defensive perspective, he consistently brings a solid and fast paced game that makes him easy for his teammates to play with and has continued to contribute offensively in January just as he did in December. His three goals and three assists in twelve games gave him six points for the month of January and twenty-three on the year. The NHL draft eligible defenceman was also ranked 183rd among North American skaters by Central Scouting in the agencies mid-season prospect rankings. The Club is excited to watch Liam continue to grow and develop as the season progresses and are confident that the best is yet to come from the young pivot. The Sudbury Wolves would like to congratulate Liam on another outstanding month and hope he continues to find success on both sides of the puck as we begin the new year.
Wolves Player of the Month
Wolves superstar goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been named January Player of the Month . The Espoo, FIN native continued his season for the ages, posting a 2.25 GAA and a 0.914 Save Percentage to go along with a 6-2-0-0 record. Luukkonen recorded 3 shutouts in the month of January to tie the franchise's record for shutouts in a single season with 5. Luukkonen currently leads the OHL in Save Percentage (0.921), GAA (2.44) and shut-outs and sits second in wins (25). The Sudbury Wolves would like to acknowledge Ukko for his outstanding performance this past month and are excited to see the dominant goalie continue to shine in the crease. Molson Canadian 3-Star Player of the Month
Blake Murray and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are co-recipients of January's Molson Canadian 3- Star Player of the Month Award. Both players came up clutch in the month of January for the club and will be heavily relied upon as the 2018-2019 OHL regular season is quickly closing and playoff positioning in the Central Division and Eastern Conference is very tight. The Sudbury Wolves would like to recognize and congratulate Blake and Ukko on their excellent play during the month of January.
Wolves United Community Player of the Month
Blake McConville has been named the Wolves United Community Player of the Month for January. Blake recently visited St. Charles Elementary school in Chelmsford, ON to read to young children. While out with an injury that kept the forward out of the lineup, Blake was a huge part of the Wolves practice program that takes place before each home game. Blake always brings a positive attitude and excellent work ethic to the rink and is a great teammate and a stellar young man. The Sudbury Wolves would like to recognize Blake for his contributions in the Greater Sudbury community and are pleased to have him as a member of our organization.
Reg Wilkinson Men's Wear Scholastic Player of the Month
The Reg Wilkinson Men's Wear Scholastic Player of the Month for January is defenceman Isaak Phillips. The 17-year-old Barrie, ON native is currently attending St. Charles College where he is taking Leadership, Math, and English. Isaak is excelling in his courses as he currently holds an average of 84% between his three courses. The Sudbury Wolves would like to congratulate Isaak on his strong performance on the ice and in the classroom.
Player of the Month presentations will begin this weekend as the Wolves get set to host two Western Conference opponents in the Windsor Spitfires on Friday and Sarnia Sting Saturday. Both games begin at 7:05pm. Great seats are still available at sudburywolves.com.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2019
- IceDogs Outrace Greyhounds in 6-1 Win - Niagara IceDogs
- OHL Announces Postponed Game Between Erie and Mississauga - OHL
- Wolves Announce January Player of the Month Award Winners - Sudbury Wolves
- Details Announced for Saturday's Pink in the Rink Game against Oshawa - Peterborough Petes
- Third Period Surge Lifts Petes over Bulldogs - Peterborough Petes
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