Baclig wins MVP

After a sensational year on the ice, Melbourne Ice forward Jason Baclig has been named the 2011 AIHL MVP while leading the Ice to the Minor Premiership.

Baclig scored 68 points (5th in the league), including 36 goals (2nd, equal) and 32 assists (8th) in his second season down under with the Ice, playing all 28 games, leading the Ice in points, goals and second in assists.

Lethal on the Power-Play, Baclig led the league in both Power-Play points (25) and Power Play goals (14).

Canadian born, Baclig averaged 2.4 points per game through the 2011 season.

An ecstatic Melbourne Ice President Andrew Lamrock said, “Melbourne Ice is very proud of all our players and having one singled out as league MVP speaks volumes for our club. Jason Baclig is an example of a player who triumphs against adversity, he is a true team player in every sense of the word and a natural goal scorer. He is a role model player who never stops working for the team and club both on and off the ice. Well done Jason, on behalf of the Medibank Melbourne Ice family congratulations.”

Matt Amado from the Gold Coast Blue Tongues came second in MVP voting, despite the Blue Tongues not advancing to the Final Four weekend in Melbourne.

Amado set an AIHL record in 2011 with 42 goals, breaking his own record of 39 he set in 2007. Amado finished with 69 points on the season at an average of 2.6ppg.

Matt Monaghan from the Sydney Ice Dogs came third in MVP voting.