Matt Climie Named CCM Vector ECHL Rookie of the Month for December

Idaho goaltender Matt Climie is the CCM Vector ECHL Rookie of the Month for December.The 25 year old was 5-1-0 with a shutout, a goals-against average of 2.31 and a save percentage of .920 in six games as the Steelheads went 8-4-0. He played for the Dallas Stars in the NHL Prospects Tournament going 2-0-0 to help the Stars win the event. He began the month stopping 29 shots and turning aside two of three shooters in the shootout for a 4-3 win against Utah. Climie won his final four games of the month beginning on Dec. 14 when he made 31 saves for his first professional shutout in a 1-0 win at Alaska. He posted back-to-back wins, stopping 27 shots in each game, against Bakersfield on Dec. 17 and 20 and ended the month turning aside 29 shots in a 5-1 win against Utah.The Leduc, Alberta native is 11-6-0 with a shutout and a save percentage of .913. He is tied for third in the league with two shootout wins and is ninth with a goals-against average of 2.42.Climie played four seasons at Bemidji State University where he was 45-30-11 with 12 shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.40 and a save percentage of .910 in 95 games from 2004-08. He holds the BSU career record with 12 shutouts while his goals-against average and save percentage rank second.Runners Up: Matthew Ford, Charlotte (9 gp, 7g, 5a, 12 pts) and Michael Dubuc, South Carolina (8 gp, 7g, 3a, 10 pts).Also Nominated: Jean-Phillipe Lamoureux (Alaska), Matt Siddall (Gwinnett), Adam Miller (Las Vegas), John Murray (Ontario), Dave Leaderer (Trenton), Vladimir Nikiforov (Utah) and Curtis Billsten (Victoria).The Steelheads take to the ice this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 9 and 10, as they welcome the Reading Royals to Qwest Arena for the first time. Tickets are still available by visiting idahosteelheads.com and using the print at home feature, calling (208) 331-TIXS or by visiting the box office at Qwest Arena.- www.idahosteelheads.com -