windsorspitfires.com staff reports
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| Tom Kuhnhackl in first round playoff action against the Erie Otters April 1, 2011 Photo By Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine |
With seven goals, four assists and a +6 rating in 12 games, Kuhnhackl is the Precision Jewellers Windsor Spitfires Player of the Month for March.
As impressive as the numbers are, they only tell part of the story.
Kuhnhackl almost single-handedly carried the Spitfires through the front half of the month, scoring the winner in three consecutive games.
The big winger from Landshut, Germany had the decisive shootout goal in a 4-3 win over Guelph on March 6th. He followed up with another shootout winner, this time in a 4-3 win over Owen Sound on March 10th. His 37th goal of the season was also the winner that same weekend, in 4-3 overtime win over the Sarnia Sting.
Clearly impressed with his play, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Kuhnhackl to a three-year, entry level contract on March 22nd. He was a fourth-round pick of the Pens in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft - a choice that now looks like a steal for General Manager Ray Shero.
After all that, Kuhnhackl literally saved his best for last in March.
Just two days after he was forced to leave Game Three of the Spitfires-Otters playoff series, with what looked like a serious leg injury, Kuhnhackl dominated Game Four with two goals and two assists, leading the Spits to a 7-4 win and a decisive 3-1 series lead.
For his outstanding performance, Kuhnhackl will be presented with a gift from Dan Thomas of Precision Jewellers.
Precision Jewellers and Windsor Spitfires Player of the Month awards, 2010-2011 season
Tom Kuhnhackl – March 2011
* Ryan Ellis – February 2011
** Ryan Ellis – January 2011
Stephen Johnston – December 2010
*** Eric Locke – November 2010
** Ryan Ellis – October 2010
* Player was named the OHL Player of the Month and OHL Defenceman of the Month
** Player was named the OHL Defenceman of the Month
*** Player was named the OHL Rookie of the Month
