Westgard, Cross, Balyk, Bruce named BCIHL Players of the Month for Nov/Dec

The British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League has unveiled its award winners for the month of November/December 2019:

Player of the Month – Ty Westgard, Simon Fraser University

A first-year player for the Clan, Westgard led all BCIHL scorers in league games during November and December, tallying five goals and nine assists in nine games. He had points in all but one of SFU's games to wrap up the fall semester portion of the season, including three multipoint efforts. The 21-year-old veteran of 176 BCHL games with Surrey and Coquitlam is tied for fifth in BCIHL scoring this season and his 16 points is tops among all rookies.

Defenceman of the Month – Tristen Cross, Selkirk College

In his first BCIHL season, Cross is a key contributor to the Selkirk College Saints line-up at both ends of the ice. The 21-year-old from Virden, MB posted four goals and three assists in six games during November/December. He started November pointless, but then ripped off a stretch of seven points in five games to lead all blueliners in scoring over the two-month period. The former Virden Oil Capitals blueliner is now third overall in BCIHL scoring among defencemen in 2019-20.

Goaltender of the Month – Jeremy Balyk, Vancouver Island University

Balyk is the third rookie player to receive a Player of the Month award for November/December. The 25-year-old from Edmonton went 3-0 during the two-month period with a 1.76 goals against average and a .950 save percentage. Balyk made 42 saves in a 4-2 win for VIU over SFU on November 22, earning 2nd star honours in the game. He was named first star after kicking out 35 shots in a 2-1 road victory against the Clan on November 23. Balyk is now tied for first in the BCIHL in wins this season.

Rookie of the Month – Josh Bruce, Trinity Western University

The 21-year-old veteran of 110 BCHL games has had a big impact in his first BCIHL season. Bruce was only held off the scoresheet once in four games in November, racking up two goals and seven assists. His month featured three multi-point outings, including three assists on November 8 in a 7-0 win over Selkirk College. His nine points in four games puts the Coquitlam Express grad sixth in scoring in the BCIHL this season and third on the Spartans. Bruce is also second overall in rookie scoring, two points back of Westgard.