With Game Days 1-4 behind us, join us for a look back at which three defencemen dominated across the first part of the 2023/24 season!
Les Lancaster
Skating in his second CHL season and third with Ilves Tampere, Les Lancaster has been an exceptional contributor for the Finnish side's blueline, having secured 30+ assists in back-to-back seasons in the SHL, including 47 helpers last season in 60 games.
The 28-year-old’s CHL tenure has seen him put up excellent numbers, as well. He managed three assists in six contests in the 2022/23 campaign and has already doubled his production this year with six points (5G, 1A) in two fewer games.
Lancaster’s five tallies lead all players in scoring; he also sports a +4 rating, has two game-winning goals and three powerplay tallies all while averaging 17:02 TOI.
In Ilves’ contest against Czech side Vítkovice Ridera, Lancaster put forth his best effort, getting his team on the board with a 5-on-3 tally and then scoring the eventual game-winner in the shootout to help the Finnish side stay perfect.
Jonathon Blum
A four-time CHLer, Jonathon Blum is entering his third season with Red Bull Munich. Through four contests, the 185cm, 87kg defenceman has shown a deft ability for handling the puck and making plays as evidenced by his eight assists - four of which came on the man-advantage - which pace all defencemen in the category.
After only registering two points in the 2022/23 campaign, the American has already smashed that total with nine points to take the league lead in scoring and is at the top in plus/minus with a +8 rating, illustrating his effectiveness at both ends of the ice.
The highlight of his season so far came in Munich’s Game Day 3 tilt with HC Košice where the blueliner found himself on the scoresheet four times, securing one tally and earning three assists.
Tarmo Reunanen
Tarmo Reunanen's scouting report pegs him as an offensive-minded defenceman who doesn’t shy away from physical play and can dish the puck while holding down his own zone. To that end, the Lukko Rauma D-man has been as advertised to start his third iteration of CHL hockey.
Twice this season Reunanen has been Lukko’s star – in their game against the Aalborg Pirates he earned four points (2G, 2A) and then in their battle with Rapperswil-Jona Lakers he secured two more (1G, 1A).
The 25-year-old's six points tie him for fourth in league scoring while his three goals are second among defenceman and his 1.50 points per game is tied for seventh-place among players. He is also one of only two blueliners to have secured a shorthanded tally.
Be sure to return later this week for more of our Top 3 series!