Mark Dekanich, goaltender for KHL Medvescak Zagreb, has won EuroHockey.com’s December Player of the Month Award. He had some stiff competition from last month’s winner Brandon Bochenski and fellow goalies Jakub Kovar – Avtomobilist (KHL) and Jussi Rynnäs - Kärpat (Liiga). Dekanich took 42% of the vote in the field of six nominees.

After a slow start to the season, Dekanich has found his form, winning five of six and losing his only decision in a shootout. He finished the month saving 94% of his shots and holding on to a 2.00 GAA. Keeping with the superstitious traditions of goalies everywhere, his good play has been buttressed by a new helmet and facial hair growth that began for the “Movember” male health awareness month campaign. The winning streak began about the time he donned the new helmet and hair.



Being an active member of the Twitterverse (@dexshow), Dekanich shares a lot of information with his fans. He is a fitness freak, maintains a strict low carb diet and is a lover of Pugs. On the road, when he is not talking about the various TV series he watches, he pokes fun at his teammates for not keeping up with him in the gym, the kitchen or their inability to establish a solid beard of their own. Dekanich is great with the fans in Zagreb, always stopping for a picture or autograph, and seems like a positive presence in the locker room.

Congratulations to Mark for hitting his stride during the playoff hunt and on being voted EuroHockey.com’s December Player of the Month. We will be working to have an interview with him soon.