OHL Announces November Performers of the Month

Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Performers of the Month for November.

OHL Player of the Month - Mike Richards, Kitchener Rangers

The OHL Player of the Month for November is Kitchener Rangers centre Mike Richards. The 18-year-old Kenora native scored six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 12 games, helping the Rangers to an 8-2-2-0 record. He was tied for the league lead in scoring during November, recording points in 10 games last month, including a streak of nine games that stretched from November 5 - 28. Richards, the Rangers captain, was a first round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers at the NHL Entry Draft in June. He leads the Rangers with 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points in 28 games and represented the OHL in the RE/MAX Canada-Russia Challenge in London and Sarnia in November. Richards was one of 34 players named to the final selection camp for Canada's National Junior Team that opens this week in Kitchener.

OHL Rookie of the Month - David Shantz, Mississauga IceDogs

Mississauga IceDogs goaltender David Shantz is the OHL Rookie of the Month for November after posting a 4-2-1 record, along with a 2.54 goals against average and .910 save percentage in seven starts last month. Shantz, a 17-year-old Hamilton native, improved his season record to 12-7-1 with a 2.67 goals against average and .913 save percentage. He was a seventh round pick of the IceDogs in 2002 and is eligible for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

OHL Defenceman of the Month - Andre Benoit, Kitchener Rangers

Andre Benoit is the OHL Defenceman of the Month after scoring six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 12 games. Benoit leads all OHL blueliners with 14 goals and 40 points in 29 games this season. The 19-year-old native of St. Albert also participated in the RE/MAX Canada-Russia Challenge in November. He was the Rangers first round pick in the 2000 OHL Priority Selection and will challenge for a spot on Canada's National Junior Team roster in Kitchener beginning on Thursday.

OHL Goaltender of the Month - Adam Dennis, Guelph Storm

Adam Dennis of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Goaltender of the Month after posting a 9-2-1 record, along with a 1.74 goals against average and .927 save percentage in 12 games. Dennis, an 18-year-old Toronto native, allowed two or fewer goals on eight occaisions, including a 40-save shutout performance against the Sarnia Sting on November 22. He also made 24 saves in a shutout against the Saginaw Spirit on November 28. Dennis was a 14th round pick of the Storm in the 2001 OHL Priority Selection and made 18 appearances as rookie with the club last season. In 20 games this season, he has a 14-4-2 record, 2.44 goals against average and .899 save percentage.

OHL Performers of the Month

Player of the Month
November - Mike Richards, Kitchener Rangers
October - Cory Perry, London Knights

Rookie of the Month
November - David Shantz, Mississauga IceDogs
October - Bryan Little, Barrie Colts

Defenceman of the Month
November - Andre Benoit, Kitchener Rangers
October - James Wisniewski, Plymouth Whalers

Goaltender of the Month
November - Adam Dennis, Guelph Storm
October - Kevin Druce, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds