The Western Hockey League announced today that Chris Driedger of the Calgary Hitmen has been named the Vaughn WHL Goaltender of the Month for December 2013.

The 19-year-old goaltender posted an impressive 7-1-1-0 record with one shutout through nine appearances in December, allowing just 15 goals on 276 shots for a 1.67 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage in that span.  Driedger started nine of Calgary’s 12 games through the month, allowing two or fewer goals in seven of his nine starts.  Driedger was chosen among the Three Stars in five of nine appearances, including being named the game’s 2nd Star on four occasions throughout December.

Driedger’s consistent play helped the Hitmen post a 10-1-1-0 record through December, pushing them up to first place in the Eastern Conference standings and leaving them with the WHL’s second-best defensive record through the first half of the season.

Driedger, a product of Winnipeg, MB, is in his fourth season in the WHL and third season with the Hitmen.  He has appeared in 147 career regular-season WHL contests, posting an 81-39-5-8 record with seven shutouts and a 2.67 goals-against average.  A fourth-round pick, 80th overall, of the Tri-City Americans in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, Driedger was chosen in the third round, 76th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2012 NHL Draft.