The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) is pleased to announce its Stars of the Month for December.
Forward – Levi Astill – Grand Forks Border Bruins
Astill was a driving force for the Border Bruins producing at an elite rate while impacting the game at both ends of the ice. The Edmonton native recorded 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in five games, averaging 2.8 points per game.
Three of his goals stood as game-winners, including against the Chase Heat and twice versus the Nelson Leafs. Astill had dominant performances against the Leafs, registering a hat trick and four-points on Dec. 13, then a goal and four points on Dec.19. He also assisted on the game-winning goal in a key win over Beaver Valley, 1-0 on Dec. 12. The 6-2,190-pound forward finished the month plus-17, being on the ice for only one goal against, while playing an average of 21:01 per game.
Defenceman – Declan Pocock – Williams Lake Mustangs
Pocock’s offensive abilities were on full display. In six games, the Williams Lake native produced eight points (six goals, two assists), averaging 1.33 points per game. Three of his goals were game-winners, including a decisive marker against the Kimberley Dynamiters on Dec. 6. In a 6-3 loss to the Princeton Posse on Dec. 5, Pocock had two assists.
Pocock played major minutes averaging 27:46 per game and was +6.
Goaltender – Thomas Samborski – Grand Forks Border Bruins
Samborski delivered a flawless month between the pipes going 4-0. The Grande Prairie, Alta., native stopped 101 of 104 shots for a 0.75 goals against average and an impressive .971 save percentage.
He had a standout performance against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks with a 40-save shutout on Dec.12, then the next day posted a 19-save shutout against the Leafs.
Rookie – Noah Lawless – Merritt Centennials
The Mission native had an excellent month. Lawless collected 12 points (six goals, six assists) in six games, including a game-winning goal against Princeton on Dec. 12 in a 5-2 win. He also scored an insurance goal in a high-scoring 12-6 win over the Kelowna Chiefs, showcasing his ability to produce in key moments.
Lawless finished the month +11 while averaging 17:09 of ice time per game. He now leads all KIJHL rookies with 42 points in 29 games.
