Monday, 01.29.18 / 3:43 pm CT
IceRays forward Garrett Hallford has been named the South Division First Star of the Week, the NAHL announced Monday.
Playing in his final year of junior hockey, Hallford has been a journeyman of the NAHL but has hit the jackpot landing with the IceRays. He’s now scored a career-high 21 points on the campaign, (10 G, 11 A) which places him at fifth-highest on the team. He remains the only player on the roster besides Conor Yawney to have played in all 42 games this season.
Hallford’s production has risen substantially this season, but it wasn’t just his scoring touch that earned him an “A” on his jersey. The McKinney, Texas native has proven to be a vital component on penalty kills for the IceRays, and has demonstrated an inspiring willingness to block shots and engage in board battles despite his 5’8, 180 pound frame.
“We as an organization and especially myself as Garrett’s coach are extremely proud of him to be recognized as Player of the Week,” IceRays head coach Brad Flynn said. “Garrett is the epitome of an IceRay; he is a veteran junior player who shows up every day with a smile on his face and has an extremely high work ethic. Good things happen to good people and Garrett’s hard work and determination gave him the opportunity to be acknowledged.”
The only Texas-born player on the team, Hallford has enjoyed spending his final season of junior hockey playing for the IceRays for reasons beyond the warm weather and the excellent fan-base. He has had the opportunity to play in front of his family in the majority of the games this season.
His lightning-like acceleration, his durability, and his adaptability as a player have made him one of the most indispensable pieces on the IceRays. Against the Odessa Jackalopes last weekend, Hallford assisted on both Corpus Christi goals on Friday night and tallied their lone regulation strike on Saturday. The value he brings to the table is not always recognized, but it has been today.
