CJHL Names Hernández Gongshow Gear 1st Star of the Month

CALGARY, Alta. ? The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday that Randy Hernández, (F) of the Brooks Bandits (AJHL), the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Matteo Costantini (OJHL) and Luke Grainger from the Hawkesbury Hawks (CCHL) have been named its Gongshow Gear 3 Stars of the Month for December.

1ST STAR: RANDY HERNÁNDEZ, (F) BROOKS BANDITS (AJHL) ? Through nine games last month the 20-year-old Hernández, who hails from Miami, Fla., racked up an impressive 25 points to pace all AJHL skaters during the time frame.

Etching his name on the score sheet in all the games played in December, his efforts included him registering 13 goals, featuring his initial league hat trick, and helping set-up 12 others for Brooks, which earned him AJHL Player of the Month laurels for a second time this season.

Three of his tallies were game-winners and he produced eight multi-point performances in the month, highlighted by a pair of four-point efforts.

Hernández currently sits second in AJHL offensive production with 74 points, including 33 markers, and is committed to attend Robert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey) on NCAA Division I scholarship.

With files from Charla Flett, V.P., Communications (AJHL)
Photo credit: Sean Mascaluk, Pro Sports Photography

2ND STAR: MATTEO COSTANTINI, (F) BUFFALO JR. SABRES (OJHL) ? Making nine appearances in December, the St. Catharines, Ont., product racked up 17 points, featuring an OJHL-best 13 tallies.

Three of his goals came via the power play while another was shorthanded and two were game-winners.

Still just 17-years-old, Costantini is in his rookie campaign in the OJHL where he currently sits second among all skaters in goals scored with 30.

He was also named by NHL Central Scouting to suit-up for Team East at last week?s CJHL Prospects Game that was held in Hamilton, Ont., where he notched one of his sides? markers in the match-up.

His on-ice efforts also saw him named OJHL North-West Conference Player of the Month for December.

With files from Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL)
Photo credit: Spencer Smye, OJHL Images

3RD STAR: LUKE GRAINGER, (F) HAWKESBURY HAWKS (CCHL) ? Grainger grabbed points in all eight outings he played in last month for Hawkesbury to help him extend his lead in the CCHL scoring race.

In December, the 20-year-old from Beaconsfield, Que., tallied five times and doled out a dozen assists helping his Hawks side collect 13 of a possible 16 points in the standings.

Two of his markers proved to be game-winning efforts and he also had five multi-point affairs.

Grainger currently leads the CCHL in offensive production with 67 points through 40 games on a league-best 27 goals and 40 assists.

The most recent recipient of the CCHL?s Player of the Month award is set to attend Western Michigan University (NCHC) on NCAA D-I scholarship in the fall.

With files from Sean Marcellus, Director of Hockey Operations (CCHL)
Photo credit: Robert Lefebvre, icelevel.com

Earning honourable mention for the CJHL’s Gongshow Gear 3 Stars of the Month for December were Jordan Naylor, (G) Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL); Charles Farmer, (F) Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ); Mikol Sartor, (F) Winnipeg Blues (MJHL); Andrew MacLeod, (G) Pictou County Weeks Crushers (MHL); Devon Savignac, (F) Blind River Beavers (NOJHL); Chantz Petruic, (F) Yorkton Terriers (SJHL); Zach Willms, (G) Red Lake Miners SIJHL.