Cuddemi named CCM/ECHL Rookie of the Month

Utah Grizzlies’ forward Ralph Cuddemi has been named the CCM ECHL Rookie of the Month for January.

The 23-year-old scored 12 goals and added six assists for 18 points in 11 games during the month.

Cuddemi posted six multi-point games in January, and tallied at least one point in 10 of his 11 outings. He picked up his first professional hat trick in a 5-4 overtime loss at Rapid City on Jan. 13 and also had a three-point game (2g-1a) 6-5 victory over the Rush on Jan. 7.

A native of Concord, Ontario, Cuddemi is tied for first among ECHL rookies with 20 goals, is tied for third with six power-play goals and is tied for sixth with 34 points.

Prior to turning pro, Cuddemi tallied 123 points (61g-62a) in 154 career games at Canisius College.

Runners Up: Tyson Spink, Toledo (12 gp, 8g, 8a, 16 pts.) and Sean Maguire, Wheeling (6-1-1, 1.79 GAA, .938 save pct.).

Also Nominated: Mikkel Aagaard (Adirondack), Josh Atkinson (Atlanta), Mike Cazzola (Fort Wayne), Jake Hildebrand (Indy), Zac Lynch (Manchester), Darren Nowick (Missouri), Alex Gacek (Orlando), Michael Parks (Quad City), Steven Swavely (Reading), Darcy Murphy (Tulsa) and Matt DeBlouw (Wichita).

PREVIOUS WINNERS

October Tyson Spink, Toledo Walleye

November Steven McParland, South Carolina Stingrays

December Mike Cazzola, Fort Wayne Komets