Steven Foster (Merritt Centennials), Trey Stephenson (Kimberley Dynamiters) and Ryder Ponto (Revelstoke Grizzlies) are the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League 3 Stars of the Month for December.
Foster – Top Forward – The Abbotsford native registered five goals and 12 points in six games and was a plus six for the Centennials, while playing an average of 20 minutes a game. Foster helped the Centennials win four of their six games. In a 5-3 win over the Beaver Valley Nitehawks on Dec. 7, Foster had a goal and two assists. In their 3-2 win over the Kelowna Chiefs on Dec. 13, he scored the winner. In their 9-2 win over the Osoyoos Coyotes on Dec. 31, Foster scored a hat-trick, including the winner, and an assist. Foster leads the Centennials with 20 goals and 39 points in 28 games.
Stephenson – Top Defenceman – The Grande Prairie, Alta. native had a goal and nine assists and was plus seven while playing an average of 22:45 for the Dynamiters. He helped them win seven of their eight games. Against the Castlegar Rebels on Dec. 13, an 8-2 win, Stephenson collected three assists. Stephenson assisted on the winning goal against Fernie in both Christmas Classic games. In 14 games, Stephenson has two goals and 17 points.
Ponto – Top Goalie – The Beaumont, Alta. native won all three of his starts, stopping 112 of 119 shots. Ponto had a 2.24 goals against average with a .941 save percentage. The 6-0, 173-pound goalie had a 47-save victory over the Fernie Ghostriders on Dec. 7 and a 38-save win over the Sicamous Eagles on Dec. 13. In 20 games, Ponto has 15 wins with a 2.24 GAA and a .935 SP. He is three wins shy of 30 in his KIJHL career, playing in his second full season. He ranks second in the league in SP and GAA.
-30-
