Florida Everblades’ forward Michael Kirkpatrick is the AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month for January after leading the league with a plus-minus rating of +17.
The 26-year-old posted an even or better rating in each of his 11 games during the month, including a +4 on Jan. 20 against Orlando and a +3 on Jan. 27 at South Carolina.
A native of North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Kirkpatrick leads the ECHL with a +27 rating this season. He ranks third on the Everblades with 42 points (16g-26a) in 41 games.
Kirkpatrick has posted 102 points (45g-57a) in 113 career regular-season games with Florida and Adirondack and added nine points (2g-7a) in 12 games during the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs with the Thunder.
Prior to turning pro, Kirkpatrick recorded 102 points (39g-63a) in 108 career games at St. Francis Xavier University while also tallying 251 points (108g-143a) in 266 career games with Saint John of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League where he captured a Memorial Cup title in 2011.
In recognition of his accomplishment, AMI Graphics will present Michael Kirkpatrick with a personalized Plus Performer of the Month Banner during an on-ice ceremony at an upcoming Everblades’ home game.
Runners Up: Florian Iberer, Reading (+16) and Christian Hilbrich, Wheeling (+15).
Top Plus Performer(s) for Each Club: Adirondack - Conor Riley (+5); Alaska - Stephen Perfetto (+10); Allen - Bryan Moore (+12); Atlanta - Drew Baker and Tyler Murovich (+5); Brampton - David Ling (+1); Cincinnati - Dominic Zombo (+4); Colorado - Luke Salazar (+10); Elmira - Mark Bennett and Greg Betzold (+1); Fort Wayne - Mike Cazzola (+7); Greenville - Tommy Thompson (+7); Indy - Chris Williams (+2); Kalamazoo - Kyle Bushee (+11); Manchester - Zac Lynch (+11); Missouri - Dan Correale (+10); Norfolk - Aaron Harstad (+8); Orlando - Darik Angeli and Alex Gacek (+4); Quad City - Michael Parks (+12); Rapid City - Logan Nelson (+3); South Carolina - Danny Federico (+4); Toledo - Nolan Zajac (+9); Tulsa - Darcy Murphy (+9); Utah - Tim Daly (+9) and Wichita - Ian Lowe (+6).
PREVIOUS WINNERS
October Tylor Spink, Toledo Walleye
November Curtis Leonard, Fort Wayne Komets
December David Makowski, Allen Americans
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
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Fort Wayne Komets
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Greenville Swamp Rabbits
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Indy Fuel
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Jacksonville Icemen
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