Wild's Di Puma named player of the week

WENATCHEE - Michael Di Puma (Chicago, Ill.) was named the SBK Hockey/West Player of the Week Monday for his efforts this past weekend in the Wenatchee Wild's 2-game sweep over the Dawson Creek Rage.

Di Puma scored a pair of goals in the Wild's 4-1 win over the Rage in the first game of the series. His first goal came 29 seconds into the contest after he entered the offensive zone down the left wing on a 2-on-1, looked off a pass, then lifted a shot over the goaltender's right shoulder from the bottom of the far circle. His second goal of the contest was an empty-netter, which put the icing on the Wild's victory.

Di Puma, 20, set up the first goal in the second game of the series when he slid the puck from below the far circle to linemate Jacob Barber (Dardenne Prairie, Mo.), who tapped in the puck from point blank range during a power play.

"Since the day I got here I found Mike to be one of our most committed, focused guys," said Wild head coach John Becanic. "He has been an unbelievable leader and student of everything we're doing here."

Di Puma has been a consistent player with the Wild, notching 112 points (57G, 55A) over the last three years. This season, Di Puma is third on the team with 41 points and second with 21 goals. He has recorded seven points (3G, 4A) in his last six games.

"He's a talented player," Becanic said, "and I think he has taken his game to a new level with how hard he works. Consistently, since I got here, he has been one of our best players."

Di Puma and the Wild (28-17-3, 59 points), will embark on an important 8-game road trip in March. 

The trip begins with a 2-game series against the Alaska Avalanche on March 4-5.