MICHAEL KIRKPATRICK NAMED RUNNER UP FOR ECHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Princeton, NJ – 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, with Adirondack Thunder center Michael Kirkpatrick finishing in second.

Kirkpatrick, 25, finished the season with 60 points (29-31-60), which ranked second amongst all rookie scorers, six points behind the overall winner Willows. Kirkpatrick’s 29 goals led both all first-year players and Thunder players, with his 60 points also topping the Adirondack roster. Kirkpatrick also led the Thunder in assists (31), power-play goals (8) and games played (72), being the only Adirondack player to appear in all 72 games this season. The North Sydney, NS native also led the ECHL as a whole with 250 shots on goal.

Kirkpatrick is the first Thunder player to finish in the Top 3 for an individual award this season. As an amateur, Kirkpatrick was named to the CIS Second All-Star team as a senior in 2015 and the CIS All-Rookie team in 2012, where he was also named as the CIS Rookie of the Year. In 2010, Kirkpatrick was named as the leading scorer of the QMJHL playoffs, on route to a 2010 Memorial Cup championship.

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 manager and minority owner of the Johnstown Chiefs from the inception of the team in 1988 until 1994.

All 2015-16 full and partial season ticket holders and 2016-17 full season ticket holders can get round one of the playoffs at the 2016-17 full season ticket price of $13 per game, not including sales tax or facility fee. All 2015-16 full season ticket holders with Youth, Bronze or Silver packages will be grandfathered for round one at their 2015-16 per game rate. Any 2015-16 or 2016-17 full season ticket holders should visit the Thunder front office (playoff extended hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.) or call 518-480-3355 x1 or visit Guest Relations at any remaining Thunder home game to reserve their playoff location. Group tickets are also on sale now. Any group can get tickets for all three Round One games by visiting the Thunder front office or by calling 518-480-3355 x1.

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