Best players of December

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

In December, the League’s teams played a total of 121 games, with 670 players (56 goalies, 220 defensemen, and 394 forwards) taking part in the action. The average goals-per-game was at 5.17.

— Best goalie for the fourth time in his career was Lars Johansson (SKA), who won seven of eight games last month. He faced 208 shots, or 26 per night, posting a saves percentage of 94.71% and a goals-against average of 1.36. In the Dec 6 game against Avtomobilist, Johansson posted his eighth shutout of the season.

— Best defenseman for the first time in his career was Steven Kampfer (Ak Bars), who scored 12 (4+8) points in nine games. The defenseman posted no negative ratings throughout all December, with a plus-7 differential. Kampfer potted the game-winner in the Dec 3 game against Avangard in Dubai (3:1). He also recorded four hits, blocked five shots, and earned three powerplays for his team.

— Best forward for the first time in his career was Andrei Kuzmenko (SKA), who scored 15 (5+10) points in ten games. In the Dec 29 game against Amur (3:1), the forward potted the game-winner. Kuzmenko also recorded three hits, blocked one shot, and earned five powerplays for his team.

— Best rookie for the second time in his career and this season was forward Arseny Gritsyuk (Avangard), who scored 9 (5+4) points in ten games. Gritsyuk posted two game-winning goals, recorded seven hits, blocked five shots, and earned two powerplays for his team.