Ian Scheid, a defenseman for the Austin Bruins was named NAHL Defenseman of the Month on Friday.

A big part of the Austin Bruins run to clinch the Central Division title was their 7-1 record during the month of March and thanks to the play of players like Scheid. The 19-year-old native of Coon Rapid, Minnesota, had a great month, posting 10 points in the eight games during March.

Scheid was second on the team in scoring during the month, which included a goal and nine assists along with a +8 rating. Scheid registered at least a point in all but one of the eight games he played during the month. He finished the regular season on a seven-game point streak, which included him being named the NAHL’s Central Division Star of the Week on March 30.

During that seven game stretch, Scheid recorded all 10 of his points during the month. For the regular season, Scheid led all Bruins defensemen in scoring this season with 35 points in 55 games played. He also played on the Central Division team at the 2015 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament.

“Ian has been a huge part of our defense and I think we relied on him almost too much to begin the season. However, right around the middle of season, he really put a renewed focus on being better defensively and that has translated into offensive success as well. His vision and playmaking ability has consistently good all season long and he makes the players around him better,” said Austin head coach Chris Tok.

As for Scheid, he said that his focus right now remains on the impending Robertson Cup Playoffs.

“I think our goal for March was to get to a point where we were playing our best hockey of the season,” said Scheid. “Everyone was working well together and that comes with experience and making sure that everyone is on the same page. I really tried to focus on being better defensively and that led to more chance for me to jump up in the play and get involved offensively. I think my focus for the remainder of the season is to help us win a National Championship and then see what happens.”