SCHMELZER NAMED FIRST-EVER CJHL 1ST STAR

Press Release

  Ryan Schmelzer of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres was named the first-ever CJHL 1st Star of the Month as three high-scoring forwards were chosen as CJHL 3 Stars of the Month for January.

 Buffalo Jr. Sabres forward Ryan Schmelzer, Dauphin Kings forward Jesse Sinatynski, and Carleton Place Canadians forward Alex Globke have been named the first ever CJHL 3 Stars of the Month. The competition for the inaugural 3 Stars of the Month award was fierce as several players across the CJHL's ten Junior A leagues posted impressive numbers in the month of January.

1st STAR – Ryan Schmelzer, Forward, Buffalo Jr. Sabres, Ontario Junior Hockey League (7 GP, 8 G, 9 A, 17 PTS)
During the month of January, Ryan Schmelzer recorded 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points in 7 games played. Twice he notched 4 points in a game to go along with a 5-point effort on January 7. Schmelzer currently sits second on the Sabres in scoring and is tied for ninth overall in the OJHL with 61 points in 45 games, including 24 goals and 37 assists.

2nd STAR – Jesse Sinatynski, Forward, Dauphin Kings, Manitoba Junior Hockey League (10 GP, 10 G, 11 A, 21 PTS)
Dauphin forward Jesse Sinatynski led all MJHL scorers in the month of January with 21 points in 10 games on 10 goals and 11 assists. Those 21 points vaulted Sinatynski to the top of the league scoring race where he currently sits with 36 goals and 40 assists in 48 games played. Sinatynski's impressive January helped the Kings post a 9-1 record on the way to first place in the MJHL's Sher-Wood Division.

3rd STAR – Alex Globke, Forward, Carleton Place Canadians, Central Canada Hockey League (10 GP, 11 G, 9 A, 20 PTS)
The Canadians won 8 of 10 games in the month of January due in large part to Globke's 20 points in 10 games. With 11 goals and 9 assist for the month, the Canadian's forward was voted a game star in 7 of 10 games. He currently sits 11th in league scoring with 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists) in 51 games played.

Honourable Mention:
Josh Roach, Defence, Flin Flon Bombers, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (9 GP, 3 G, 10 A, 13 PTS)
Brady Shaw, Forward, Surrey Eagles, British Columbia Hockey League (9 GP, 9G, 7 A, 16 PTS)

The CJHL 3 Stars of the Month award was announced on February 6 as part of a suite of new CJHL national awards recognizing Junior A hockey's best players and coaches. In addition to the 3 Stars of the Month, the new CJHL awards also include annual awards for Most Valuable Player, Top Forward, Top Defenceman, Top Goaltender and Top Rookie as well as Coach of the Year and Top NHL Prospect.

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