Florida Panthers centre Jonathan Huberdeau of Saint-Jerome, Quebec was named the National Hockey League’s player of the month for December on Thursday. Huberdeau had six goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 13 games.
Three times during the month of December, Huberdeau registered a four point game. He had two goals and two assists for four months in a 6-5 Florida win over the Montreal Canadiens on December 29. Huberdeau also had one goal and three assists for four points in a 7-4 win over the Dallas Stars on December 20 and four assists in a 6-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on December 16.
In addition to the 22 points, Huberdeau was a +8 with six penalty minutes, seven power play points, one game winning goal, 29 shots on goal, 13 hits and six blocked shots. Huberdeau’s game winning goal came on December 21 in a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry of Surrey, British Columbia was also recognized as he was the NHL’s second star for the month. Jarry won eight of nine games, had three shutouts and a sparkling goals against average of 1.54.
The Panthers currently have a record of 21 wins, 14 regulation losses and five losses in extra time for 47 points. With Huberdeau leading the Panthers with 17 goals, 38 assists and 55 points, Florida is only one point back of the Tampa Bay Lightning for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
