Chase Witala was named the Western Hockey League's player of the month on Monday.
Witala, a 20-year-old forward for the Prince George Cougars, was handed the honour for his stellar play in the month of December. In 13 games, he fired 14 goals and added nine assists for 23 points. As well, he finished the month with a plus-10 rating.
Witala, a local member of the Cougars, recorded six multiple-point games during the month. Along the way, he was chosen as the game's first star on three occasions, got one second-star selection and three third-star nods. Witala's play helped the Cougars to a December record of 10-3-0-0.
In 39 games this season, Witala has 42 points (24 goals, 18 assists), second in team scoring to Jesse Gabrielle (25-18-43). Witala leads the Cougars with seven power-play goals.
Witala is in his fifth and final season with the Cats. For his WHL career, he has 202 points (104 goals, 98 assists) in 270 regular-season games.
Previous WHL player of the month awards this season have gone to Brayden Point of the Moose Jaw Warriors (September/October) and Mathew Barzal of the Seattle Thunderbirds (November).
The Cougars, third in the B.C. Division with a 23-14-1-1 record, will be in Kamloops to face the Blazers on Wednesday night. The Cats will then return home for key contests against the second-place Victoria Royals (23-14-1-2) on Friday and Saturday. Puck-drop for both of those games will be 7 p.m. at CN Centre.
