(Submitted by Alex Hoegler, BCHL communications)
It was a good month in college hockey for Gage Torrel, the former standout forward of the Langley Rivermen.
The 21-year-old freshman of the Lake Superior State Lakers, was named Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Rookie of the Month for February. Torrel scored seven points in eight games during the month, helping the Lakers clinch a playoff spot in the process. He was key in helping a penalty kill that had a 92.9 success rate in February and assisted on two game-winning goals.
The Lakers closed out the month by going 3-1-0 in their final four games, including victories against Ferris State and Northern Michigan, teams that are higher in the standings. The Lakers won the Cappo Cup after capturing three points over Northern Michigan to close out the month.
For February, Torrel went on a 0.88 points-per-game surge, and was fifth in league scoring. Torrel beat out fellow rookies Stephen Baylis of Bowling Green and Coquitlam Express alum Corey Mackin of Ferris State for the honour.
In 35 games this season with the Lakers, the Monticello, Minn. native has eight goals and 11 assists and is second in team scoring.
Torrel played two seasons with the Rivermen, joining the team halfway through the 2013-14 season. He notched 10 goals and 14 assists in 28 games and added two goals and four assists in 12 playoff games that year. The following season, he led the Rivermen with 26 goals and finished second in team scoring with 64 points in 54 games.
