It wasn’t exactly a barn burner of a March for the skaters when it comes to the players eligible for the National Hockey League Entry Draft. But it was probably the best month of the season for the goaltenders. Here’s our choices for draft eligible forward, defenceman and goaltender of the month.
Draft Eligible Forward of the Month – Max Namestnikov – Guelph Storm
We all know about the explosion of offence Namestnikov had once he was traded from the Sarnia Sting to the Guelph Storm. Max had just two assists in the month of March but tallied 12 goals in 11 games that raised his season total to 39. And 35 of those goals came after the trade, in just 47 games. He had goals in all but 3 of those 11 games and included 4 multi point games.
Also considered were Coulson Pitre of the Flint Firebirds with 4 goals and 7 assists in 9 games, Joey Willis of the Saginaw Spirit had 5 goals and 8 assists in 11 games and Brady Stonehouse of the Ottawa 67’s who had 7 goals and 4 assists in 10 games.
Draft Eligible Defenceman of the Month – Matthew Mania – Sudbury Wolves
Mania quietly put together a solid season for the Sudbury Wolves and the month of March was a very good one for him. He appeared in 12 games scoring 3 goals and adding 6 assists and a plus-7 to finish the season with 10 goals and 28 assists and a plus-21 while playing in 67 games.
Also considered was Hunter Brzustewicz who had 8 assists in 12 games for the Rangers.
Draft Eligible Goaltender of the Month – Charlie Robertson – North Bay Battalion
Robertson had a great start to the month of March posting consecutive shutouts beginning with a 20 save blanking of the Niagara IceDogs on March and 5 days later blanking the Oshawa Generals with a 28 save performance. Robertson went 5-0-0-0 in the month of March stopping 145 of 154 shots for a save-percentage of .942.
Also considered was Liam Sztuska of the Peterborough Petes who went 4-0-0-0 in 5 appearances and stopped 128 of 134 shots for a save-percentage of .955 and 1 shutout. Collin MacKenzie of the Ottawa 67’s was also considered as he posted a 7-0-0-0 record in 8 appearances with a .930 save-percentage.
We have to give a special shout out to Owen Flores of the Niagara IceDogs. He appeared in 10 games with two of those being in relief. Here are the shots he faced in his 8 full games: 66, 44, 46, 45, 48, 50, 58 and 36. In total, he stopped 399 of 440 shots he faced for a .907 save-percentage.
Forwards
Max Namestnikov – Guelph Storm – March
Nick Lardis – Hamilton Bulldogs – February
Colby Barlow – Owen Sound Attack – January
Quentin Musty – Sudbury Wolves – December
Quentin Musty – Sudbury Wolves – November
Ryan Abraham – Windsor Spitfires – October
Defencemen
Matthew Mania – Sudbury Wolves – March
Rodwin Dionicio – Windsor Spitfires – February
Rodwin Dionicio – Windsor Spitfires – January
Beau Akey – Sudbury Wolves – December
Brody Crane – London Knights – November
Hunter Brzustewicz – Kitchener Rangers – October
Goaltenders
Charlie Robertson – North Bay Battalion – March
Tristan Malboeuf – Hamilton Bulldogs – February
Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – January
Joey Costanzo – Windsor Spitfires – December
Andrew Oke – Saginaw Spirit – November
Collin MacKenzie – Ottawa 67’s – October
OHL Writers 