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Kawaguchi and Ghantous take home weekly NCAA awards

Photo credits: Russ Hons (Kawaguchi), MI Hockey (Ghantous)

A pair of BCHL alums took home weekly honours in the NCAA this week.

NCHC Forward of the Week

Jordan Kawaguchi – Junior – University of North Dakota (Chilliwack Chiefs)

Kawaguchi led the NCHC with six points last weekend to guide North Dakota to a conference-opening sweep of Miami, tallying three points each night. In Friday’s 7-1 win, the assistant captain dished out three assists, all primary, on UND’s first three goals, to put the Fighting Hawks up 3-0 in the opening period. The first two assists came on the power play, with the second setting up the game-winner, while all three helpers came in a span of 2:02 in the first frame. He put three shots on goal and was second star of the game on Friday. The next night, Kawaguchi doled out two more primary assists, again on the game-winning goal in the second period, while also scoring UND’s third goal to break a 2-2 tie late in the first. He was +3 on Saturday and earned first star of the game. Kawaguchi finished the sweep with a goal and five primary assists, while posting a +4 plus/minus and putting five shots on goal with one blocked shot. On the season, he leads UND with a team-high 13 points and 10 assists.

He was also recognized nationally as the NCAA’s 3rd Star of the Week.

Kawaguchi, played four full seasons with Chilliwack from 2013 to 2017, notching 242 points in 215 regular-season games and another 82 in 55 playoff games. The Abbotsford, B.C. native finished second in league scoring in 2016-17 with 85 points in 55 games and was named a First-Team All-Star.

WCHA Rookie of the Week

Andre Ghantous – Freshman – Northern Michigan University (Penticton Vees)

Ghantous led the Wildcats back from a 3-0 third period deficit with a pair of power-play goals as the Wildcats rallied to earn a 3-3 tie with visiting St. Cloud State. The Glendale, Calif., native added his third goal of the weekend in Saturday’s contest with the Huskies to share the WCHA lead in weekend goals and tie for third nationally. He is now on a six-game point streak (6-1-7) and has tallied five goals in his last four outings. This is Ghantous’ first career WCHA weekly award.

The 20-year-old played three seasons in the BCHL, the first two with the Trail Smoke Eaters and his final year in Penticton. He played 153 regular-season games over his career and put up 117 points.

NCAA Milestones

There were also a few more freshmen alums notching their first goals in the NCAA.

  • Dylan Anhorn – Union (Prince George Spruce Kings) – Nov. 8 vs. Clarkson
  • Max Crozier – Providence (Nanaimo Clippers) – Nov. 9 vs. Boston University
  • Mathieu Gosselin –  Clarkson (Merritt Centennials) – Nov. 8 vs. Union
  • Josh Latta – Alabama-Huntsville (Vernon Vipers) – Nov. 8 vs. Alaska-Anchorage
  • Luke Loheit – Minnesota-Duluth (Penticton Vees) – Nov. 9 vs. Denver (GWG)
  • Willie Reim – Air Force (West Kelowna Warriors) – Nov. 8 vs. Bentley (GWG)