3HL hands out monthly awards for November
The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Combat Hockey Player of the Month and the Brian’s Custom Sports Goaltender of the Month for November. The honors were awarded to St. Louis Jr. Blues forward Daniel Rosse as the Combat Hockey Player of the Month, and Granite City Lumberjack’s goaltender Matt Grove as the Brian’s Custom Sports Goaltender of the Month.
For St. Charles, Missouri native Daniel Rosse, November was a month to remember. The 17-year-old forward registered at least a point in all eight games he played in during the month, helping the St. Louis Jr. Blues stay in 1st place in the 3HL’s Central Division. During the month, Rosse (5’10/175) registered nine goals and six assists for 15 points in just eight games played. Three of his nine goals during the month of November were game-winning goals.
Rosse currently leads the 3HL in goals with 22, is tied for the league lead in game-winning goals with five and is 4th in points with 41. Rosse’s best performances in November came on November 13th against North Iowa when he posted a hat-trick in a 4-1 win and then again on November 27th when he had two goals and two assists in a 7-3 win at Peoria. “Daniel is one of those rare players you can rely on in all situations… special teams, 5 on 5, shootouts, etc.,” said Jr. Blues head coach JP Beilsten. “It is his first year of junior hockey, so to come in right away and play well really says something and motivates his teammates as well. He is scoring every game, which gives us a sense of consistency. He is using his speed to get wide and create some space for himself to score goals.”
For the second straight month Matt Grove, 20, from the Granite City Lumberjacks is the 3HL Brian’s Custom Sports Goaltender of the Month. The Crookston, Minnesota native had another great month between the pipes, posting a 7-1-0 record, which was actually better than his record in October. He also posted two shutouts, a 1.38 goals against average and a 93.7% save percentage. His best hockey of the month came in early November when he allowed just four goals in a stretch of five games.
“I think the most important thing for us is that his starts have been consistent,” said Lumberjacks head coach Brad Willner. “We just want him to make the first save and let his teammates do the rest.” Currently, the 6’0”, 220 lbs. goaltender leads the 3HL in goals against average, wins, shutouts, games played and minutes played. “He has continued to work hard and put the team on his back and lead us,” continued Willner. “I think as well as Matt has played, our team defense has played just as well. We feel good about it because not only is it a reflection on Matt, but the way our team is playing defensively right now.”
Other 3HL players nominated for the monthly awards were (alphabetical): Ethan Baker, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Matt Bartels, goaltender, North Iowa Bulls – Cameron Brown, forward, Peoria Mustangs – Schuyler Ferguson, goaltender, Michigan Mountain Cats – Lukas Gavalier, goaltender, Toledo Cherokee – Dillon Kelley, goaltender, Metro Jets - Ryan Kelly, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Steve Klisz, forward, Metro Jets – Abe Liebel, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames – Peter Lindblad, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Mike Meadows, goaltender, Quad City Jr. Flames – Michael Parda, goaltender, Peoria Mustangs.
