HW December Prospect of the Month Kyle Chipchura

Habsworld.net has named Kyle Chipchura the Decemeber Prospect of the Month for his excellent play in helping his team take home a gold medal for Team Canada at the U-20 World Junior Tournament.  Chipchura was one of Canada‘s most effective two way players, playing solid hockey in all situations.  The Captain for Team Canada is not known for his offensive skills but more for his work ethic and leadership abilities, but he was able to score some timely goals, picking up five points in six games with four of them being goals. Although it was his play on the PK and in his own end that benefited Team Canada the most, one of his goals was a game winner and the fact that he was able to stay out of the box the entire tournament while still playing intense physical hockey shows how he puts the team first to get the job done.  His plus five rating also put him near the top of his team and not too far behind the overall tournament leader. 

 

In addition to his strong play for Team Canada, Chipchura also stepped up the offensive production just prior to leaving for the WJC, picking up five points in five games with the offensively challenged Prince Albert Raiders.  In those five games Chipchura was named a star twice, with one of them being the games first star in an effort to help his team turns things around. 

 

Also in the running for Prospect of the Month was Siarhei Kostitsyn who just completed his third trip to the World Juniors, helping Belarus win the Division 1 group B pool which has earned them a birth into next years WJC’s. Kostitsyn led the tournament in scoring with nine points in five games, including the final game of the tournament that helped his team leap frog Kazakhstan but picking up three points with two goals to win their Division and move back into the World Junior Championships in Sweden next year. While Siarhei was enjoying much success at both the World Juniors and in London with the Knights of the OHL, the entire family should be pleased as older brother Andrei picked up his play with Hamilton of AHL and earned himself some time in the NHL where he picked up his first of hopefully many goals, so congratulations are due to both brothers.

 

In addition to Kostitsyn, Alexei Emelin was also in the running for Prospect of the Month with his strong play for Team Russia at the WJC’s, that saw him playing very solid hockey at both ends of the rink as well as bringing an intense physical brand of hockey.  Emelin. Perhaps the surprise player of the tournament, Emelin picked up an impressive seven points in six games, which led all defensemen in scoring for the tournament over much more highly touted NHL prospects.  Emelin did benefit from playing on a five man unit that featured the tournaments top forward Evgeni Malkin, but he did display much more confidence in his skills, and scored a big goal against Team USA to help his team go on to the gold medal game. On top of the offensive production, Emelin was also second in the tournament in penalty minutes with 39 pims and was even ejected late in the game against Team USA for going after a player that interfered with his goalie. Emelin has also had a big year in the Russian Super league, putting up career highs and leading his team in scoring for defensemen prior to leaving for the WJC’s.