Kucherov, Zlobin and Drouin named TELUS three stars of the week

Press Release

Nikita Kucherov, Anton Zlobin and Jonathan Drouin were named today the TELUS three stars of the week for the period extending from February 11 to 17, 2013.

Nikita Kucherov is this week’s most outstanding player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, earning TELUS first star honours after recording 4 goals and 8 assists for a total of 12 points in three games. The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies’ talented forward recorded incredible performances all week long, including a five-point night last Wednesday in Victoriaville. Unfortunately, his one goal and four assists weren’t enough to defeat the Tigres in a close battle that ended 6-5 in a shoutout, although he did get the third star of the game. In another tough battle on Friday night, André Tourigny’s squad were defeated in overtime against the Voltigeurs in Drummondville 5-4. Kucherov scored a goal and added an assist in the loss. Finally, Kucherov was simply inspiring in Blainville-Boisbriand in a crucial duel for the top spot in the TELUS Western Division standings. In the 7-5 win, Kucherov collected two goals and three assists for his second five-point night of the week and his third of the season. He led the Huskies to an important win by scoring the game-winner. The Huskies now trail the division leaders by only four points. The Tampa Bay Lightning propect has averaged two points per game so far this season. He has registered 44 points in 22 games.

The TELUS second star goes to Russian sensation Anton Zlobin. The Val-d’Or Foreurs’ forward registered a total of 12 points in four road games. During the road trip, he helped the Foreurs collect six out of a possible eight points in the standings by recording 3 goals and 9 helpers. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ propect leads his team with 82 points and he is only 7 points behind the league’s top scorer, Peter Trainor of the Rimouski Océanic. With season’s end coming quickly, Val-d’Or is on a roll with seven wins in their past ten contests. 

They currently sit eighth in the overall standings. If the Foreurs’ big guns such as Anthony Mantha and Anton Zlobin keep playing like they are, you can bet the Foreurs will surprise more than a few naysayers.

Halifax Mooseheads foward Jonathan Drouin captures the TELUS third star after leading his team to four straight wins. He scored 5 goals and added 5 assists while posting a +7 differential. With Nathan MacKinnon out of the lineup because of injury, Drouin stepped up his game. He registered a hat-trick in a convincing 7-0 win over the PEI Rocket and was named the game’s first star. Friday night, the Mooseheads collected a 6-3 victory over the Shawinigan Cataractes in Halifax as Drouin collected two points and first star honours for a second night in a row.

He recorded two assists the next day in a rematch versus the Moncton Wildcats as Halifax avenged an 8-5 loss with a solid 5-2 win. Finally, he notched a goal and two helpers in a 5-2 victory over the Rocket to bring his consecutive point streak to 20 games. The former record holder was Jason King who tallied points in 19 straight contests during the 2000-01 campaign. Drouin has jumped to fourth place in the scoring race, 7 points behind Peter Trainor who has 89. The young forward has averaged 2.10 points per game so far this season.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)