CHL Player/Goaltender of the Week Announced

The Central Hockey League announced today that the recipients for the Oakley CHL Player and Goaltender of the Week for the period ending December 28th, 2008 are forward Chris Robertson of the New Mexico Scorpions and goaltender Marco Emond of the Arizona Sundogs.

Robertson is coming off a week that saw him score four goals with two assists. The Scorpions center helped put an end to a three-game losing streak and to another more dubious streak, never winning a regulation game in Colorado, by netting his second hat trick of the season in a 6-4 New Mexico win at Colorado on Saturday. The Owen Sound, Ontario native followed that up by scoring the game winning goal on Sunday in the Scorpions 3-1 win over the Southern Conference’s top team, the Odessa Jackalopes. For the season, the 6-0, 200-pound forward has 30 points (14-16=30) in 28 games.

Emond strung together back-to-back wins at Rapid City versus the expansion Rush last week. On Friday night, the Valleyfield, Quebec native made 29 saves earning his first shutout of the season. The next night, the 5-10, 195-pound goaltender made 33 saves as the Sundogs won 2-1. On the season, Emond is 9-9-1 with a 3.66 goals against average.

In recognition of their achievement, both Robertson and Emond will receive a special gift from Oakley.

Oakley CHL Player of the Week
Chris Robertson, New Mexico Scorpions
Position: F
(Weekly Totals)
Games Played: 3
Goals: 4
Assists: 2
Points: 6
Plus/Minus: +1

Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week
Marco Emond, Arizona Sundogs
Position: G
(Weekly Totals)
Games Played: 2
Record: 2-0-0
GAA: 0.50
Save %: 0.984
Saves: 62 of 63

Winter Weather Postpones CHL Game

The Central Hockey League, in conjunction with the New Mexico Scorpions and the Amarillo Gorillas, announced today that Tuesday’s game between the Scorpions and the Gorillas (CHL game #182) has been postponed due to inclement weather. No makeup date has been announced.

The game was scheduled to be the Scorpions Kid’s Day Game in Rio Rancho, NM, with a special 10:30 AM face-off time.

New Mexico will play next on Friday night when they host the Colorado Eagles and the Gorillas are back on action on Friday as well when they host the Rapid City Rush.

Former Texas Tornado Defenseman Lyon Messier Signs with CHL's New Mexico Scorpions

The Scorpions have beefed up their defense by reaching into NHL Hall of Fame bloodlines. Head coach Randy Murphy has signed Lyon Messier to a contract.

Messier is the son of former NHL star and Hall of Fame member Mark Messier. The younger Messier, 21, is a defenseman who started the season with the Charlotte Checkers.

Previously, Messier spent four seasons in the junior ranks. Last year he played with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL appearing in 46 games. The Dallas, Texas native scored 17 points (5G, 12A) and collected 45 penalty minutes, helping Lincoln advance to the league semi-finals.

While playing in the USHL he was known for his skill on the power play. During the 2007-08 season, 13 of his 17 points came with his team on the man advantage.

Messier joins current Scorps defenseman Aaron MacInnis as players with NHL ties. MacInnis is the nephew of NHL Hall of Fame member Al MacInnis.

To make room on the roster, defenseman Dylan Row has been waived. In 19 games Row collected eight assists and 26 penalty minutes.

Michael Beynon will be activated from the injured reserve this week. Beynon has played in four games picking up four penalty minutes and a +2 plus/minus rating. Rookie forward Sam Bowles has been waived.

CHL's Performance of the Week Fan Poll Returns

The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today the five nominees for the CHL’s Performance of the Week. Fans can vote for the winner of the weekly award at www.centralhockeyleague.com in the CHL Performance of the Week fan poll.

The nominees for the CHL Performance of the Week for week one of the season are as follows:

-Corpus Christi’s Chris Richards scoring seven points (4-3=7) in 12-3 win versus Tulsa on October 18th

-New Mexico’s Jason Wolfe making 25 saves in the Scorps 6-0 shutout win at Amarillo on October 18th

-Rookie Mudbugs goaltender Ryan Mior making 27 saves in 2-1 win at Laredo on October 18th

-Tulsa’s Kevin St. Pierre making 55 saves in 3-2 shootout loss at OKC on October 17th

-Laredo rookie Daryl Smith netting a hat trick in the Bucks 7-1 win over RMR on October 17th

Fans can vote for the winner through Monday, October 27th with the winner being announced on Tuesday, October 28th.


CHL’s Hat Tricks for Kids
The CHL and Infinity Pro Sports have partnered for the 2008-09 season for a new program called Hat Tricks for Kids. Infinity Pro Sports will donate $25.00 for every hat trick scored throughout the CHL regular season. Fans are also able to donate money to the program that will donate all proceeds to The Hoffen Foundation (www.hoffenfoundation.org). To follow the Hat Trick’s Tote Board and see how much money has been donated to date or to donate money yourself visit www.hattricksforkids.org.


CHL All-Star Game on January 14th in Loveland, Colorado
The 2009 CHL All-Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14th at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. The game is hosted by the Colorado Eagles and presented by Poudre Valley Health System. The format for this year’s game features a team of CHL All-Stars taking on the Colorado Eagles. For more information and for all-star updates visit www.centralhockeyleague.com or www.coloradoeagles.com.