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Jan. 4, 2006
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that sophomore forward Bill Thomas of the University of Nebraska-Omaha has been named the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month for December.
The 22-year old from Pittsburgh, Penn., recorded nine goals and six assists in six games during the month. His 31 points this season put him fifth in national scoring and his 1.63 points-per-game average rank him sixth.
The 6-foot, 185-pound forward opened the month with four goals and two assists in a series sweep of Ferris State and was recognized as the CCHA Offensive Player of the Week on Dec. 5. He added two more goals in a road loss at Michigan on Dec. 10 before exploding for seven points in a pair of non-conference games to complete the year. Thomas fired his first career hat trick and added two assists during an 8-5 victory over Alabama-Huntsville Dec. 29 before assisting on extra-attacker and overtime goals in a 3-2 win over Yale on New Year's Eve. He was again named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week and, for the month, had at least two points in five out of the six games.
Thomas, who was the CCHA Rookie of the Year last season when he recorded 45 points, leads the CCHA in goals this season with 17. He ranks third on the national goal scoring list.
Special mention for RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month honors goes to Bowling Green sophomore forward Jonathan Matsumoto, Miami sophomore goalie Charlie Effinger, Michigan senior forward Andrew Ebbett, Lake Superior State junior goalie Jeff Jakaitis, Northern Michigan junior forward Pat Bateman, Notre Dame junior goalie David Brown and Ohio State junior defenseman Sean Collins.
2005-06 RBC Financial Group Players of the Month
December - Bill Thomas SO, F, Nebraska-Omaha
November - Alex Foster, SO, F, Bowling Green
October - Bill Zaniboni, SO, G, Northern Michigan
-- CCHA --