The Central Hockey League has today named Wichita left winger Tom Gomes and Bossier-Shreveport netminder Ken Carroll as the recipients of the CHL’s Player and Goaltender of the Month awards for February, 2003. Gomes enjoyed a fine month, scoring 12 goals and adding 11 assists in 14 games for the Thunder, while Carroll recorded a CHL–low goals against average of 1.474 for the Mudbugs while posting a record of 7-1-0 during February.

Gomes, from Harrow, Ontario, scored in 12 of the Thunder’s 14 games during the month, and had six multiple point outings, including a 2-goal, 2-assist performance in an 8-3 win at El Paso February 21st, and a 4-assist outing in a 6-5 home shootout win over Memphis February 26th. Gomes and teammates Travis Clayton and Jason Duda were all outstanding in February, combining for 26 goals, 36 assists and 62 points during the month. With his February performance, Gomes has moved into the top 25 in CHL scoring, and is averaging over a point per contest on the season. Also receiving strong consideration for February Player of the Month were forwards Gerald Tallaire from Austin, Tyler Baines from New Mexico and Todd Marcellus from Tulsa.

In Bossier-Shreveport, goaltender Ken Carroll was a clear choice as February Goaltender of the Month, helping the Mudbugs to a record of 9-2-1 in 12 games. Carroll, the 2000/2001 winner of the Western Professional Hockey League’s Most Outstanding Goaltender and Rookie of the Year awards, twice posted shutouts during the month, blanking Austin 3-0 February 1st and Lubbock 2-0 February 6th. During February he turned aside 184 of 196 total shots faced to lead the Bossier-Shreveport into playoff contention entering the final month of the regular season. Carroll’s play now has him ranked third in the CHL with a goals against average of 2.161 and second in the CHL with a save percentage of 92.8, earning him consideration as a finalist for the Scott Brower Memorial Trophy, awarded to the CHL’s Most Outstanding Goaltender.