FAIRBANKS, AK – Alaska Nanooks freshman right wing Andy Taranto (Woodridge, IL, Fargo (USHL)) collected his second Central Collegiate Hockey Association accolade this week, as he was named the CCM CCHA Rookie of the Month for February Tuesday afternoon. This is the second time he has earned the award this season.
Taranto helped the Nanooks go unbeaten in February (6-0-2) with a 7-7-14 scoring line, including two hat tricks. He finished the season ranked first in the CCHA and third nationally in scoring among freshmen (16-23-39), which is also good enough for fourth overall in the conference.
The Woodridge, Ill., native also posted a +12 rating during February with four multiple-point games. Taranto also helped Alaska claim its first Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup in four years with a sweep of Alaska Anchorage, and earn the right to host the fourth CCHA playoff series at Fairbanks in Nanooks history.
Taranto, who led the USHL in goals last season with 34 for the Fargo Force, was named CCHA Rookie of the Week on March 1 and Feb. 25 after registering five points each weekend to lead Alaska to a pair of series sweeps. He tallied a goal and four assists, including helpers on both game-winning goals, as the Nanooks took two from Lake Superior (Feb. 19-20). Taranto followed up that performance with a 3-1-4 line in a victory over UAA, 7-4 (Feb. 26). His first hat trick lifted the Nanooks to a 4-1 win during a visit to Ohio State (Feb. 12).
Bowling Green forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Michigan forward Chris Brown and Nebraska-Omaha forward Terry Broadhurst earned special mention for CCM CCHA Rookie of the Month for January.