HOFFMAN NAMED MR. JANUARY

Mike Hoffman continues to tear up the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season. The 20-year old sits ninth in league scoring with 33 goals and 31 assists in just 40 games this season. His 33 goals puts him second in league goal scoring and sits two behind Cape Breton’s Luke Adam who has 35 goals in one more game played.

Hoffman was recognized for the second time this year today, picking up the QMJHL’s offensive player of the month award for January.

“In ten games, the forward collected seven goals and twelve assists while posting a +6 rating,” read a QMJHL press release. “Moreover, two of his markers were game-winners. The Kitchener native registered at least one point in each game, helping the Sea Dogs record eight wins in the past four weeks. Saint John is first in the overall standings and sits at the top of the CHL BMO MasterCard rankings.”

Hoffman’s two game winning goals this past month gives him 11 on the season, the most of any player in the league.

The former Voltigeur has his two star line mates to thank for the award. Nicholas Petersen is the league leader in +/- and Stanislav Galiev leads all rookies in scoring.

Two other Sea Dogs were considered for the monthly honors. Tomas Jurco came up short for top rookie while Simon Despres was a runner up for the defensive award.

Jurco has been one of the hottest players in the league since the calendar turned to 2010. In 10 games, the Slovakian has seven goals five assists. He failed to register a point in only one game.

“David Savard earns the hardware for a second consecutive month on defense. In twelve contests, the Wildcats defenseman recorded three goals, including a game-winner, and added fifteen helpers. Furthermore, he registered a +12 rating. Savard has collected at least one point in his last eleven games. Moncton has also been strong in shorthanded situations, posting a 94.5% success rate. The Wildcats have won their last twelve games.

“Alex Belzile gets the nod as the month’s top rookie. In twelve games, the 18-year-old center registered three goals and added thirteen assists while posting a +3 rating. The eleventh round selection in last year’s entry draft also netted a game-winner. Since graduating to the QMJHL after the Christmas break, Belzile has recorded twenty-one points in fourteen games, failing to register a point in only two contests.”