Alexandria’s Reid Sturos wins NAHL Player of the Month
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that Alexandria Blizzard forward Reid Sturos has been named the Combat Hockey NAHL Player of the Month for January.
The forward from Brighton, Michigan appeared in nine games during the month, helping Alexandria to their best monthly record of the season at 8-1-0 during January. He recorded 14 points in those nine games which included seven goals and seven assists. The seven goals and 14 points during the month led the NAHL. Sturos, 19, was also a +7 during the month. He scored at least one goal in five of the nine games during January and had two four-point games. During that time Alexandria put the finishing touches an 11-game winning streak, which is top so far this year in the NAHL.
“I think the team is playing a lot better and guys are really starting to get used to one other, so that led to us playing some really good hockey lately,” said Sturos. “I think for me personally it was focusing on making every game count and trying to prepare myself the right way. I think in order to be successful in this league you have to have the right mindset and habits on and off the ice.”
Sturos (6’2/180) has already committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Michigan Tech University next fall. To date, Sturos has 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 34 games played for Alexandria this season. Last season, he appeared in 17 games for the Blizzard, registering eight points. He has helped the Blizzard into sole possession of 2nd place in the Central Division. “I think there is a lot of confidence in the lockerroom and a belief that we can be a serious contender come playoff time,” said Sturos. “All the pieces are there, we just need improve the rest of the regular season so that come playoff time, we are firing on all cylinders.”
Alexandria head coach Doc DelCastillo believes that Sturos is a very good talent that has been key to the team’s success lately. “His hockey awareness and speed are his biggest assets. He can get to the outside and skate around guys and use his strength to get to the net,” said Delcastillo. “His just has a nose for the net and enjoys playing the game. He does the little things it takes to score goals and he is scoring them at opportune times.”
Other players nominated were (alphabetical): Jordan Bancroft, forward, Janesville Jets – Adam Chapie, forward, New Mexico Mustangs – Lawrence Cornellier, forward, Odessa Jackalopes – Wehebe Darge, forward, Alaska Avalanche – Dan Dupell, forward, Topeka RoadRunners – Alex Frere, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears – Sean O’Rourke, defenseman, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Shawn Pauly, forward, Wenatchee Wild – Jack Prince, forward, Texas Tornado – Brock Raffaele, forward, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings – Tyler Richter, forward, Bismarck Bobcats – TJ Sarcona, forward, Amarillo Bulls – Beau Walker, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays.
Previous NAHL Player of the Month winners: September 2011, JT Osborn, forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs - October 2011, Robbie Payne, forward, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings - November 2011, Brooks Behling, forward, Amarillo Bulls – December 2011, Darren McCormick, forward, Janesville Jets.
About Combat Hockey
The Official Equipment Supplier of the NAHL, Combat Sports has been extremely successful the past 10 years as the fastest-growing North American baseball/softball bat, hockey stick and lacrosse shaft manufacturing company. Visit them online.
