Icedogs' Dalton named most valuable

The goaltender set records for goals against and save percentage.
BOARDMAN -- Goaltender Matt Dalton of the Bozeman Icedogs has been selected as the North American Hockey League's Most Valuable Player for the 2005-06 season.
Dalton set new league records for goaltenders, with a 1.63 goals against average, a .940 save percentage and nine shutouts. He allowed only 63 goals in 39 games.
In winning 33 of the Icedogs league-leading 48 victories, Dalton backstopped Bozeman to the NAHL's regular-season championship.
Top coach
Dakton's coach, John LaFontaine, was selected as Coach of the Year after piloting Bozeman to a 48-9-1 record, which equaled the league record for wins in a season.
The Icedogs' accomplishments included the NAHL Showcase championship, the division championship and the NAHL regular-season championship. They had winning streaks of 20 games, 12 games and seven games and one stretch where they earned a point in 24 straight games.
Eric Kattelus of the Bismarck Bobcats was chosen Rookie of the Year after leading all rookies in goals (35) and scoring (75 points). He was second in assists (40).
His six game-winning goals represented the second best total by a rookie. Overall, Kattelus ranked third in NAHL scoring and third in goals.
The had winning streaks of 20 games (24 games in which they earned at least one point), 12 games and seven games during the season.
Academic award
Brett Blatchford, captain of the Texas Tornado, received the Academic Achievement Award. Blatchford graduated high school with a 3.5 grade-point average, was a regular on the honor roll and a member of the National Honor Society.
He scored a 1,280 on his SAT and will attend Notre Dame University. He led the NAHL defensemen in scoring.
The Community Service Award went to Bozeman's Chris McKelvie, who has been active with special needs children, especially Special Olympics Montana.
The league also announced its all-star teams. The first team included Dalton and Blatchford. Other members are: Graham McManamin, Bozeman, defense; Carter Camper, Cleveland, forward; Phil Fox, Fargo-Moorhead, forward; and Josh Heidinger, Bozeman, forward.
Menzione second team
Marc Menzione of the Mahoning Valley Phantoms was named as a forward on the second team. Other members are: Riley Gill, Texarkana, goaltender; Brandon Johnson, Santa Fe, defenseman; Justin Johnson, Texarkana, defenseman; Casey Haines, Texarkana, forward; and Karl Sellan, Texas, forward.
Joining Dalton and Kattelus on the Rookie Team is Phantoms defender Dennis Urban. The other members are: Davide Nicoletti, Springfield, defenseman; Pat Maroon, Texarkana, forward; and Tibor Kutalek, Helena, forward.