Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Vernon Vipers forward Deagan McMillan and Brooks Bandits forwards Liam Fitzpatrick and Jack Good have been named the FortisBC 3 Stars of the Month.
1st Star – Deagan McMillan (F) – Vernon Vipers
McMillan led all BCHL players with 17 points during the month of February, collecting nine goals and eight assists over nine games.
After missing nearly two months due to injury, the 21-year-old returned to the lineup Feb. 4 and immediately made an impact, registering his first career BCHL hat trick in an overtime loss to the Spruce Grove Saints. He would go on to record multiple points on five separate occasions in February, including a season-best five-point outing Feb. 16 where he scored twice, including the overtime winner, and added three assists in a dramatic 8-7 comeback win over the Nanaimo Clippers.
Despite his time missed, McMillan leads the Vipers with 20 goals in 33 games and is second in points with 38. His return has also marked a turnaround in team pay as Vernon went 5-3-1 during the month and has climbed back into contention for the final playoff spot in the Interior West Division, sitting four points back of the Cranbrook Bucks with two games in hand.
2nd Star – Liam Fitzpatrick (F) – Brooks Bandits
Fitzpatrick’s 10 goals in the month were the most among his peers, while he added four helpers to finish with 14 points in eight contests.
The Merrimack College commit had four goals and one assist on Feb. 20 in a 9-6 road win over the Spruce Grove Saints, two of which came while shorthanded and another on a power play. Fitzpatrick also picked up a hat trick earlier in the month, including the game-winning goal, in a 6-3 triumph over the Okotoks Oilers on Feb. 6.
The Moose Jaw, Sask. product sits two back of the league lead in goals with 28 in 44 games. He also has 17 assists to give him 45 points on the year.
3rd Star – Jack Good (F) – Brooks Bandits
Good finished his month with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in eight games, second most in the BCHL.
The second-year Bandit had a point in seven of eight February contests, reaching multiple points in five of those games. On Feb. 20, Good registered a career-best four points in a road win over the Spruce Grove Saints, finishing his night with two goals and two assists. The next night against the Cranbrook Bucks, the 2006-born forward picked up another two goals and a helper in an overtime loss. Good finished out February with another two-goal outing, including the overtime winner, in another win over Spruce Grove on Feb. 28.
The Pickering, Ont. native sits fifth in BCHL scoring with 58 points in 45 games, while his 41 assists are second most in the league, just two back of top spot.
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Honourable mentions:
Cowichan Valley Capitals F Tristan Gravenor: 9GP – 8G – 6A – 14PTS
Brooks Bandits F Harry Ahlberg: 8GP – 5G – 9A – 14PTS
Chilliwack Chiefs G David Di Girolamo: 3GP – 3W – .962 SV% – 1.00 GAA
Chilliwack Chiefs F Jack Plandowski: 9GP – 4G – 10A – 14PTS
Nanaimo Clippers F Tanner Bruender: 9GP – 9G – 2A – 11PTS
