WINTHROP, Mass. – (NU Photograph) – Following a stellar first month of the 2016-17 season, Niagara freshman forward Kris Spriggs was named Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Month for the month of October. Spriggs is the first Purple Eagle to collect a conference Rookie of the Month honor since Chris Moran in December 2006.
Spriggs’ start to the season is one of the best by any Niagara player in recent years, as he totaled six points (2+4) in seven games. The last Purple Eagle to score six points in the opening month of the season was Kevin Ryan, who tallied six assists during seven games in October 2012. The last Niagara freshman to do so was Brian Dowd, who scored three goals and three assists in October 2008.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Spriggs led all Atlantic Hockey rookies with six points (2+4) in seven games for Niagara. Spriggs’ four assists were tied for the most by an Atlantic Hockey freshman this month, and he scored two goals on a conference rookie-leading 24 shots on goal. Spriggs scored at least one point in four of seven games this month, and he had multiple points in two of those games, including a two-point effort at Union on Oct. 22.
Spriggs was named Travel Team USA Rookie of the Week by Atlantic Hockey on Oct. 11 after recording one goal, two assists, and 10 shots on goal in two games versus Holy Cross to open the season. In a 4-4 tie against the Crusaders on Oct. 8, Spriggs assisted on Johnny Curran’s game-tying goal in the second period, and later scored a go-ahead goal to make it 4-3 Niagara with 6:45 left in regulation.
This week, Spriggs and the Purple Eagles take on a nationally-ranked opponent for a second consecutive weekend. Niagara travels to Penn State for a two-game set with the Nittany Lions on Thursday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 4. Both games are slated for 7 p.m. starts. Penn State is currently ranked No. 14 by USCHO and No. 15 by USA Today.
