'FROSTY'
ADDS HEAT
TO HIS GAME
Saturday May 11th, 1500 NZT

Foundation Rink Rats member Matt Wheatley continues to learn his craft in the CIHA Senior A League.

Currently 4th on the All-Time Rodent Games played list, Wheatley has clocked up an impressive 57 games for the green and gold.

After joining the club in the
1999 season, Matt found the going a little tough, recording his first point three months into the season (an assist) on the 15th July against the Mustardmen.

His longest dry-spell between points runs to 12 games (25th May 2000 to 14th September 2000 inclusive).

He finished the 1999 season with a 4 point outburst (2 assists in back-to-back games against the Mustangs 16th Sept and Mustardmen 23rd Sept.) in the last two games, and has continued to add to his understanding of the game since then.

In a game just one year and two weeks later, he played outstanding against the Mustangs, posting a career best plus-6. Twice in the 2001 season he has recorded plus-5 games.

He is ranked 16th all-time for Rink Rats assists, and 17th all-time in the points category.

This season, playing mostly forward and with a little more heat and niggle in his game, he's is using his size to good effect.

Although not known as a brusier, Wheatley ranks 10th on the all-time Rodent penalty minutes list with 24, and can punish the body when you least expect it..

Wheatley has displayed the knack for game winners with both his tallies last season been credited as the game winners.