The KHL selected the best December players

Moscow, January 1 – Hockey players Vasily Demchenko (Avanguard and Omsk), Daniil Belenkov (Severstal, Cherepovets), Vadim Chipachev (Ak Barz, Kazan) and Stepan Nikulin (Lokomotiv, Yaroslavl) became the best December players in the Continental Hockey League (KHL), according to the official website of the league.

Demchenko became the best goalkeeper in December. The goalkeeper scored five wins with Avangard in nine matches in December during regular time, and the team won two more matches with Demchenko in a penalty shootout. At the same time, Demchenko saved 94.67% of his rivals’ shots on his own goal in these matches. He won the KHL Goaltender of the Month Award for the second time in his career and first time since November 2017.

Belenkov was recognized as the best defender in December, having received this award at the end of the month for the first time in his career. In December, he scored 8 points (3 goals + 5 assists) in nine games for a +6 overall rating.

Shipachev became the best striker of the month for the seventh time in his career. Forward “Ak Bars” in December played 10 matches, scored 1 ball, which became the winner in the match with “Locomotive”, and also gave 10 assists.

For the first time in his career, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl striker Stepan Nikulin became the best debutant of December, scoring 9 points (4 + 5) in 10 matches in December.