Alex Mansfield/Special to the Tribune

Scorpions winger Konrad Reeder (21) is about to score the game-winning goal in overtime during a recent game against the Amarillo Gorillas. Reeder is enjoying the best season of his career, ranking among the scoring leaders in the Central Hockey League and also celebrating the birth of his first child.

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It was Game 6 of the New Mexico Scorpions' first Central Hockey League playoff series in nearly half a decade.

As the final horn sounded, the Scorpions lined up to shake hands with their longtime rivals from Amarillo and move on to the Southern Conference semifinals.

When the formalities were done, the teams cleared the ice and Scorpions announcer Pat Allen's voice came on over the public address system.

"And now for tonight's three-star selection," he announced to the crowd. "Your third star, with a goal and three assists, from the New Mexico Scorpions, No. 21-Konrad R-r-r-r-r-reeder!"

A 5-foot-9-inch bundle of energy came racing full-speed onto the ice, diving to his stomach before flipping over, arching his back and sliding the length of the rink on the top of his helmet, fists pumping the whole way.

If his in-game performance was not enough, Reeder's post-game antics and signature "backbender" forever endeared him to the Scorpions faithful.

"I'm actually a big fan of guys like Chad Johnson and (Terrell Owens)," Reeder said, referring to the flamboyant NFL stars. "When they're celebrating, they're just out there having a good time - that's me. I love to have a good time."

A fan favorite for what Scorpions head coach Randy Murphy calls a "contagious work ethic," Reeder signed a contract over the summer to return to the Scorpions after an injury-shortened campaign in 2006-07.

In spite of spending 45 days on the injured reserve, Reeder managed to finish just outside the CHL's top 10 rookie scoring leaders at year's end, amassing 38 points in 43 games.

He was also the recipient of the Jeff File Unsung Hero Award at the end of the regular season, given to the player who best represents himself and the Scorpions organization in the community.

"The fans here were so loyal and just stuck with me while I was hurt for those 45 days," Reeder said. "They've just been unbelievable."

While the Scorpions organization and its fans alike realized by season's end that they had struck gold with Reeder, it was the playoffs that made the rest of the league take notice of the diminutive winger.

In 18 games, Reeder notched 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points, a mark bested only by playoff Most Valuable Player Greg Pankewicz of the Colorado Eagles, who posted 32 points in 25 games.

"I told (Konrad) right from the beginning that I expected him to be an elite player at this level," Murphy said. "He's proven that so far this season."

Reeder is currently tied for third in the CHL scoring race with 38 points in 24 games, and his six shorthanded points and 128 shots on goal are tops in the league.

"After the playoffs last year, I wanted to prove that it wasn't just a flash in the pan," Reeder said. "I wanted to prove that I could put up points and play the game at a high level."

He is on pace for the best year of his young career on the ice. Off the ice, he's already ensured the best year of his career after he and wife Katie gave birth to their first son, Wyatt Lee, on Nov. 6.

"(Being a father) is the most amazing experience of my life," Reeder said. "You can't even begin to describe it. It just changes your whole outlook on life."

Konrad and Katie have had to deal with the difficulties of raising their firstborn amidst the chaos of the minor league hockey travel schedule. Friends, family and fans alike have helped in any way possible.

"Katie's a great mother, but it's just so hard to leave her on her own," Reeder said. "People have been really generous with both of us though. We get all sorts of gifts, from diapers to toys to clothes - a lot of stuff that we didn't even ask for."

While parenting is a new experience altogether, Murphy says Reeder's leadership both on and off the ice lends itself well to fatherhood.

"Konrad's definitely a good father figure," Murphy said. "If he's anything like he is here, his son has a lot to look forward to."

Konrad's younger brother Michael, 17, agrees.

"He's always been a protector," Michael Reeder said. "I've seen him around Wyatt and he's a really good dad."

So could the Scorpions be looking at the future of the franchise in 18 years or so?

Michael Reeder can only chuckle. "He better be a good hockey player."