CC’s Wilkie Scores HCA National Player of the Month

(KKTV)
Published: Jan. 9, 2020 at 9:41 PM MST
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For the second straight month, a National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) player was selected the Hockey Commissioners’ Association (HCA) National Division I Men’s Player of the Month, as Colorado College senior forward Chris Wilkie earned the honor for December, the HCA announced Thursday. He was also named the NCHC’s December Player of the Month on Tuesday, while North Dakota junior forward Jordan Kawaguchi earned the HCA Player of the Month honor for November.

Wilkie led the NCAA in goals and points in December, potting eight goals in six games during the month, two more than any other NCAA player. His 1.33 goals per game were also tops nationally among players with more than two games played in December. The Florida Panthers draft pick tallied at least one goal in four of his six games, including two game-winning goals, and had multiple goals in half his December contests.

Wilkie opened December with a five-point weekend on Dec. 6-7, powering the Tigers to a sweep at Princeton. He tied a season high with three points in the series opener, scoring two goals and assisting on the game-winner, while burying both of CC’s goals, including the overtime winner, in a 2-1 win to cap the sweep. He earned NCHC Forward of the Week and NCAA First Star of the Week for his efforts.

After being held pointless against Denver Dec. 13-14, Wilkie rebounded with four goals at the Ledyard Classic on Dec. 28-29 to earn All-Tournament Team honors. He scored a goal in a loss to host Dartmouth, then recorded his first career hat trick the next day in a span of 6:29 in the third period of a 7-3 win over St. Lawrence, potting the game-winner and adding two power play goals.

Wilkie averaged 1.50 points per game in December, with his nine points tying for the national lead in the month. He finished December with an NCHC-leading 29 shots on goal and posted a +3 plus/minus, helping the Tigers to a 3-3-0 record during the final month of 2019.

In 16 games this season, Wilkie leads the NCHC with 13 goals and leads the NCAA with 0.81 goals per game, while his 20 points rank fifth in the NCHC.

Earning HCA National Rookie of the Month for December was Army defenseman Anthony Firriolo, while Ohio State junior Tommy Nappier gloved National Goaltender of the Month.

Wilkie and the Tigers resume NCHC play this weekend, hosting Miami for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday.