Empire Players/Coach of the Month Selectees, January 2007

Coach: Ryan Frew
Team: New Hampshire Junior Monarchs

Ryan Frew of the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs lead his team to a Division best record of 25-6-2-1 for 53 points through January. His team enters the month of February in first place with a 1 point lead over the Huskies with two games in hand. The defensive systems for the Monarchs have limited opponents to an astonishing 80 goals against in 34 games. Additionally the Monarchs post the lowest number of penalty minutes in the National Conference. Defense and Discipline have been a key in the success of the Monarchs thus far.

Player: Levi Grant
Position: Defenseman
Team: New Hampshire Junior Monarchs

Levi Grant of the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs completed a long road of recovery to contribute to a successful January for the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs. He chipped in with 5 assists in 7 games, as well as picking up two additional assists in the East/West All-Star game. He finished the month with a plus/minus of plus 4. Pretty good for a player whose season almost ended 16 weeks ago when he severed 5 tendons in a skate to wrist accident that left the Empire All-Star wondering if he would ever regain movement in his hand. After a lengthy 3 month setback the veteran defensemen has added some stability to the Monarchs blue line.

Player: Josh Ofner
Position: Goalie
Team: Jersey Wildcats

My nomination for player of the month is our goaltender Josh Ofner. Josh returned to us after skating with the Boston Harbor Wolves in the Eastern Junior Hockey League and had been solid in the net. He has appeared in three games and has been the reason we've won them all. He has faced 128 shots and stopped 123 of them giving him a .960 save percentage and a 1.65 GAA. He should not only be the goalie of the month but also the League player of the month. He has given our team new life and confidence.

Player: Derek Arnold
Position: Forward
Team: Junior Bruins


Scored 12 goals and 6 assists for 18 points in the month.
Led team to 7-0-1 record in January and the team is now 31-2-1/tops in the league.
Those 17 points propelled him to the second leading scorer in the league with 62 points.
Had two goals in 4-3 overtime win against the NH Jr. Monarchs
Also had 2 goals and 1 assist in the All Star game.

Derek was an offensive machine in the month of Janaury leading the team in scoring in helping the team to
a 7-0-1. He has been a big reason the team has not lost a league game since Septemer 23rd and is in first place. He also had a season high 6 points in one game during the month and scored two goals in a 4-3 overtime win against the NH Jr. Monarchs. Also a key member of the teams penalty kill unit which is second in the league with a 90.65%.