CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced today that IceRays defenseman Anthony Cortese has been named Easton Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month for January. This award is the first top award and second monthly recognition for an IceRays player in the 2014-15 season.
“It’s a great honor, and I’m pretty happy about it,” said Cortese on being given the recognition. “Being on the road for so long, the team gelled really well, and the production just came from that. I hope to just keep working hard and playing together as a team, and the success will come with that.”
Cortese finished January on a nine-game point streak and recorded points in nine of the team’s 11 games. He leads all IceRays skaters with three goals and 12 assists for 15 points during the month. In that span, he set the team mark in consecutive games with assists (9) and points (9), shares the team lead in assists, power play goals (2), and power play points (7), and recorded both a game-winning goal (Jan. 31 in Odessa) and a shorthanded assist (Jan. 9 against Odessa).
“Anthony has been an anchor on our back end,” said IceRays Head Coach John Becanic. “He’s been a model of consistency and has led or been near the top of NAHL defensemen in scoring. He is very worthy of this acknowledgement.”
On the season, the Pierrefonds, Que., native recorded 13 goals and 30 assists for 43 points in 41 games, setting career-highs in all three major categories. Among IceRays skaters, he ranks second in assists & points and third in goals. He leads all NAHL defensemen in points and ranks second in goals and assists. Yesterday, Cortese was awarded NAHL South Division 2nd Star of the Week, presented by Easton Hockey. In his junior career, he has recorded 29 goals and 77 assists for 106 points through 211 games between the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the NAHL.
The IceRays return home to begin a two-game set against the Lone Star Brahmas on Friday, February 6 at 7:05 p.m. from the American Bank Center. Call the front office at 361-814-7825 for season and individual ticket details or check out the pricing and seating chart online at www.goicerays.com. Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.goicerays.com. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), and Vine (@goicerays).
