Goalie Franck is CHL award finalist

YOUNGSTOWN — SteelHounds goaltender Andy Franck is among the five netminders who have been selected finalists for this season’s Central Hockey League Awards.

Five finalists for each of four significant CHL awards have been determined, selected by the CHL front office following nominations from member clubs.

Balloting will take place among CHL head coaches, team communications departments and selected media members to determine the recipients of the CHL’s Most Valuable Player, Most Outstanding Goaltender, Most Outstanding Defenseman and Rookie of the Year awards.

The other nominated goalies are Bossier-Shreveport’s John DeCaro, Odessa’s Alexandre Vincent, Laredo’s Dustin Traylen and Rocky Mountain’s Scott Reid.

DeCaro, who won the goaltender award last season, also is a nominee for league MVP. The other MVP candidates are Arizona’s Alex Leavitt (the CHL’s leading scorer), Laredo’s Jeff Bes, New Mexico’s Konrad Reeder and Rocky Mountain’s Brent Cullaton.

The finalists to receive Most Outstanding Defenseman consideration are Oklahoma City’s Mike Burgoyne, New Mexico’s Vladimir Hartinger, Laredo’s Adam Rivet, Arizona’s Chris Bartolone and Colorado’s Aaron Schneekloth.

Rookie of the Year candidates are Vincent, Bossier-Shreveport’s Tyrel Lucas, Amarillo’s David Nimmo, Laredo’s Andrew Desjardins and Arizona’s Mark Kolanos.