Steinbach’s Green, Miles, named MJHL players of the month
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The Manitoba Junior Hockey League turned to the East Division when putting together their players of the month.
All five players honoured in the short month were from the division, with two Steinbach Pistons and two Selkirk Steelers.
Zhenya Miles was named the Safe Work Manitoba defenseman of the month while Green was recognized as the Manitoba Pork Peak Performer.
Head coach Paul Dyck said both players have returned to Steinbach ready to thrive.
Miles has been dynamic to start the season, the lynchpin of a strong start for Steinbach. He’s been a key playmaker in addition to his strong defensive play.
Dyck said Miles elevated his game in last year’s abbreviated playoff run, and hasn’t missed a step.
“Miles is such a smooth skater, he has a great skillset as well,” Dyck said.
“I think for both those guys, the confidence they’re playing with right now is really good to see and that’s lending itself to some offensive output.”
Green averaged two points per game across the five games he played in September. Dyck credited Green’s improvement with a summer of hard work.
“He’s come back with a different mindset,” Dyck said.
“We really stressed becoming a power forward, and the skill is going to shine through.”
It’s no surprise to see Steelers on the list, with games against bottom level competition, the Steelers could be on their way to another massive winning streak to open the season. Against less than stellar competition, the Steelers have dominated, including a ridiculous 13-1 victory over the Winnipeg Monarchs Oct. 1.
Portage’s Ryan Velan rounded out the players of the month, taking home the top goaltender award. He may have had the best goaltending performance of the season in September, stopping 38-shots to shut out the Pistons and assisting on the winning goal in a 1-0 overtime win.