Wausau, WI- The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its monthly player awards for December. Wausau Cyclones’ Joel Anderson earned Defenseman of the Month. As an ’07 rookie, Wausau’s Joel Anderson has quickly emerged as a major contributor from the blue line, leading all Cyclones defensemen in scoring. After putting up 10 points in November, he carried that momentum into December with another strong month, adding 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) to push his season total to 27 points in 29 games.
Averaging 1.22 points per game, Anderson’s most impressive stretch, similar to Gruden, came on the league’s biggest stage at the NA3HL Showcase. With Wausau going 2-1, Anderson was a standout in all three outings, scoring in every game and finishing the event with five total points. His opening performance set the tone, powering the Cyclones to a commanding 6-0 win over the Buzz with back-to-back second period goals and an assist. He was the only player in the game to score multiple goals and finished with the highest point total of any Cyclones skater that day.
One of just three ’07 defensemen in the league with 25+ points this season, Anderson’s transition to junior hockey has been smooth. His immediate impact is even more notable given the strength of the Central Division, and his consistent production continues to elevate Wausau’s blue line each night.
When asked about Anderson’s month, Head Coach Nathan Oystrick didn’t hesitate to highlight just how important the rookie defenseman has been to Wausau’s success: “Joel has been tremendous for us all season. He logs big minutes in every situation and quarterbacks our power play with confidence. He shows up every morning with a great attitude, ready to work and improve. His work ethic and positivity are infectious, and he is very deserving of this honor. We’re fortunate to have him in Wausau.”
