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Columbus’ Anisimov, Tampa Bay’s Hedman win monthly KHL awards

Victor Hedman

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77), of Sweden, celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

AP

While things on this side of the Atlantic continue to flounder, Artem Anisimov and Victor Hedman are thriving in Russia.

Confirmation of that fact came this week as they won the KHL’s best attacker and best defenseman awards, respectively, for the month of November.

Anisimov, 24, scored 6G-6A-12PTS in nine games for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, finishing the month with a plus-9 rating. Acquired by Columbus in the Rick Nash trade, Anisimov seems to have found his groove after a tough start in the KHL -- he only had four points in his first 14 games with Lokomotiv.

Hedman, 20, captured best defenseman honors by recording 10 assists in eight games for Barys, finishing plus-10. The Bolts blueliner has been lighting up the KHL with his playmaking and passing skills -- while he’s yet to score a goal, he has 18 assists in 21 games, ranking third among all KHL defensemen (behind Neftekhimik’s Mamashev Renat and Sergei Gonchar, currently plying his trade for Metallurg.)

Recently, Hedman spoke to the Tampa Bay Times about how much he’s enjoying his time in the KHL.

“A great experience,” Hedman said by phone. “I’ve been playing a lot and developing my game. I’m very happy I chose to come here, and I’m very eager to get back to Tampa and prove I’ve gotten better as a player.”

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