Best Players of the 17th Week: Ezhov, Djuse, Prince, Chekhovich

The Kontinental Hockey League’s commission has determined the best players of the Regular Season’s seventeenth week in four categories. 

Last week, the League’s teams played a total of 33 games, with 573 players (42 goalies, 192 defensemen, and 339 forwards) taking part in the action.

— Best goalie was Ilya Ezhov (Vityaz), who won two games of two last week, including one shutout. Ezhov faced 69 shots, or 34.5 per game, saving 97.1%. The Vityaz netminder had a goals-against average of 1.00, and his shutout streak is still alive, now at 84 minutes and 17 seconds. It’s the sixth time that Ezhov is awarded Best goalie of the week honors (twice for each of his spans with Vityaz, Neftekhimik, and Lada), and the second in this season.

— Best defenseman was Emil Djuse (Spartak), who won two of three games with his team last week. Djuse scored 6 (3+3) points, posted no negative ratings, and ended the week with a plus-4 rating. The Swedish blueliner netted the game-winner in the Jan. 6 match against Traktor. Djuse logged an average time on ice of 20 minutes and 15 seconds, recorded two hits, blocked four shots, and earned three powerplays for his team.

— Best forward was Shane Prince (Dinamo Minsk), who won two of three games with his team last week. The Minsk forward scored 6 (4+2) points, netting two doubles and two game-winners. He posted no negative ratings last week, ending the week being plus-2. Prince had 17 shots on goal, recorded one hit, and earned two powerplays for his team.

— Best rookie was for the third time in this season Ivan Chekhovich (Torpedo). The 22-years-old forward scored 3 (2+1) points and posted no negative ratings, ending the week being plus-2. He also had 13 shots on goal.