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Willows named ECHL Rookie of the Year

By Hitmen Staff, 04/12/16, 11:00PM EDT

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The ECHL on Monday announced that Matt Willows of the Florida Everblades has been named CCM Rookie of the Year and the recipient of the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy. 

The award is presented annually to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the ECHL as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media members. The trophy was named in honor of John A. Daley in 1997. Daley, who passed away in 1996, was one of the founding fathers of the ECHL, serving as general manger and minority owner of the Johnstown Chiefs from the inception of the team in 1988 until 1994.

Willows, who was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team last week, led ECHL rookies in scoring with 66 points (23g-43a) in 71 games this season, which was also sixth overall in the league. He also led first-year players with 43 assists while he was tied for first among rookies with 12 power-play assists, finished fourth with 17 power-play points and was second with 236 shots on goal.

The 24-year-old played his junior hockey with the Jersey Hitmen (USPHL) and captained the team before receiving a scholarship to attend the University of New Hampshire. In 2 seasons (83 games) with the Hitmen, Willows scored 56 goals, good for 3rd in franchise history and currently sits 6th in all time franchise points leaders with 128. Willows then spent four seasons at the University of New Hampshire where he served as the team captain and recorded 90 points (45g-45a) in 130 career games. Willows made his pro debut at the end of last season tallying five points (3g-2a) in 11 games with Worcester of the American Hockey League (courtesy of ECHL.com) 

 

Tag(s): Home  Teams  Commitments 

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