Chamblee, Hughes are February's best

March 4, 2004

The Minnesota Junior Hockey League announced today that St. Paul Lakers forward Kellen Chamblee and Minnesota Ice Hawks defenseman Cole Hughes have been named the MJHL/USA Junior Hockey Magazine Offensive and Defensive Player of the Month, respectively, for February.

Chamblee, 19, from Falcon Heights, Minn., scored six goals and 13 assists (19 points) as the Lakers heated up for a 7-1-1 month. Since joining St. Paul from the North American League’s Central Texas Blackhawks, the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder has 10 goals for 28 points in 23 games.

“Kellen provided us with much of our offense throughout the month,” said Lakers GM Scott Ludwig. “His line (with Brian Jacobowski and Scott Sikkink) combined for 19 goals and 28 assists in our nine games and were the dominant factor in every one."

Hughes, 19, an Austin, Minn., native, scored three goals and two assists (five points) and was strong at both ends of the ice as the Ice Hawks went 7-1 in February. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder has 12 goals for 36 points after 37 games on the blue line.

“Cole is a two-way defenseman who’s as cool as a cucumber with the puck,” said Ice Hawks co-coach Nick Fatis. “He’s a level-headed guy on and off the ice; I wish I had more players like him."