BCIHL announces Players of the Month award winners for October

The British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League has unveiled its award winners for the month of October.

Player of the Month - Ben Van Lare, Simon Fraser University

Van Lare, a second year forward at SFU, made quick work of opposition goaltenders during the opening month of the season, scoring seven times in six games. He also contributed eight assists while putting forward a multi-point effort in each contest during SFU's unbeaten start to the season.

The 23-year old former WHLer opened the regular season with a hat trick against Trinity Western and stretched his goal scoring streak to four games with markers in back-to-back wins over Okanagan College and a home victory over Thompson Rivers. He closed out the month with a pair of two-assist games against TRU and Selkirk College.

Defenceman of the Month - Dave Mann, Okanagan College

Mann took an early lead in scoring among BCIHL blueliners after posting two goals and four assists in five October contests. Mann, who also took home BCIHL Top Defenceman honours for the 2010/11 season, scored the game winner in the Coyotes' season opener against Selkirk College and led a furious comeback with three third period points during Okanagan's visit to Castlegar three weeks later.

Goaltender of the Month - Jason Greenwell, Eastern Washington University

Greenwell made more than his fair share of saves in order to help EWU pick up a pair of victories and begin their inaugural BCIHL season with an unbeaten October. Greenwell, who was named the KIJHL's Top Goaltender following his final junior season in 2009, made 38 saves in an opening night win over Thompson Rivers and 42 stops in a victory over Trinity Western. He finished the month with a 2-0 record, a 2.00 goals-against average, and a .952 save percentage.

Rookie of the Month - Jordan Wood, Selkirk College

Wood quickly emerged as the Saints' go-to offensive option during a first month in the BCIHL that was highlighted by a hat trick in a 4-2 home ice win over the University of Victoria. The former Kelowna Chief and Westside Warrior then added another eight points over his next four games, including three assists in a narrow loss to Okanagan College and a pair of goals on the road against SFU. Wood closed out the month tied for second in BCIHL scoring.