Elmira Jackals’ goaltender C.J. Motte is the CCM ECHL Rookie of the Month for December. The 24-year-old was 4-2-0 with a 1.58 goals-against average and a save percentage of .950 in eight appearances during the month. Under an American Hockey League contract with the Rochester Americans, Motte allowed two goals or less in six of his seven starts and made at least 22 saves six times in December. He stopped a season-high 44 shots in a 2-1 shootout win against Manchester on Dec. 11 and made 34 saves in two other appearances. A native of St. Clair, Mich., Motte has appeared in 21 games with the Jackals posting a record of 9-9-0 with one shutout, a 2.62 goals-against average and a save percentage of .910. Prior to turning pro, Motte played four seasons at Ferris State University where he saw action in 127 career games with an overall record of 66-49-12 with 15 shutouts, a 2.13 goals-against average and a save percentage of .926. As a senior, he was named to the WCHA Third All-Star Team and to the NCAA Lowes Senior Class All-Americans First Team. Runners Up: Michael Kirkpatrick, Adirondack (12 gp, 5g, 9a, 14 pts.) and Matt Berry, Utah (11 gp, 6g, 7a, 13 pts.). Also Nominated: Eric Roy (Allen), Alex Wideman (Evansville), Justin Hamonic (Fort Wayne), Richard Nejezchleb (Greenville), Philippe Desrosiers (Idaho), Colin Markison (Missouri), T.J. Foster (Orlando), Justin Crandall (Reading) and Austin Wuthrich (Toledo).
PREVIOUS WINNERS
MONTH | PLAYER | TEAM |
October | Steve Michalek | Quad City Mallards |
November | Vitek Vanecek | South Carolina Stingrays |