Ice Dogs’ Menard continues standout debut season, wins NAHL monthly award
By Caleb Jones
Fairbanks local and current Ice Dogs player Charlie Menard was named the NAHL Goaltender of the Month for November. Over that stretch, he posted a 5-01 record, a 1.17 goals allowed average and a .955 save percentage.
“I think the biggest factor to numbers like that is actually the team,” Menard said of winning the award. “Because I think, if I took 40 shots a game it’d be a completely different story. But, the fact that as a team, we give up 30 shots in a weekend – I think that itself shows it’s more of a team award than one for myself.”
The 17-year-old is the youngest netminder in the league and has also been one of the best. Up to this point, he currently holds the second-best goals allowed average (1.52) and third-best save percentage (.941).
He’s managed to do so, all while being a first-year player in the NAHL, and for his hometown team – one that Menard grew up watching throughout the years.
“ It’s not just about playing for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, it’s Fairbanks as a community that I get to play for and represent, so for me that’s a huge honor. I grew up watching this team, and now I get to be a part of it.” He said.
The strong play for Menard has carried over to December. In his previous outing, he saved all 17 shots faced in Fairbanks’ 5-0 win over the Chippewa Steel on Saturday.
His performances have been key for an Ice Dogs team that is battling for a top spot in the Midwest Division, and with its current trajectory, looks to be a lock for the playoffs.
“It’s not just his on-ice ability, it’s also about what he brings off it,” Ice Dogs head coach Ryan Theros said of Menard. “Charlie brings a certain character and energy every single day. He brings that to the ice and locker room – that’s one thing for him and why he’s having so much success. Not only is he out there having fun with it, but he has a work ethic that doesn’t quit. He’s determined to get better and he wants to play really hard for his teammates.”
Currently, the team holds 36 points through 23 contests, sitting third in the Midwest Division with the fewest games played. They have won two in a row and eight of their last 10 while riding a 12-game point streak.
Four meetings remain before the team heads into the late December break. They’ ll play the Springfield Jr. Blues on Dec. 13 and 14 before wrapping up against the Wisconsin Windigo on Dec. 20 and 21.
“We just have to not allow going on the road to change how we play,” Menard said of closing out the month. “If we can manage to perform the same way we have at home, it will continue to lead to success and put us in a very good playoff spot going into the second half of the year.”
Contact Caleb Jones at (907) 459-7530 or at cjones@newsminer.com.
Charlie Menard (30) makes a save against the Kenai River Brown Bears.
COURTESY OF KRISTEN PEARSON
