SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Cedrick Desjardins of the Hamilton Bulldogs has been named the Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month for December. Desjardins was a perfect 8-0-0 in eight appearances during the month, with a 1.16 goals-against average, a .949 save percentage and three shutouts.
Desjardins allowed only nine goals on 177 shots in December, beginning with three shutouts in his first four starts. Desjardins blanked Toronto (15 saves) on Dec. 4, and extended his shutout streak to 212 minutes, 37 seconds before allowing a goal vs. Abbotsford on Dec. 9. Desjardins came back and posted consecutive whitewashes on Dec. 13 vs. Abbotsford and Dec. 18 at Adirondack, eventually completing a run in which he had allowed just one goal over nearly 18 full periods of work. Desjardins finished his perfect December by earning the win in a relief appearance at Grand Rapids on New Year’s Eve.
In recognition of his achievement, Desjardins will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bulldogs home game.
A fourth-year pro from Edmundston, N.B., Desjardins is 14-5-1 in 21 games for Hamilton this season, ranking second in the AHL with a 1.66 goals-against average, third with a .932 save percentage and first with five shutouts. Desjardins, 24, has a career record of 34-22-3 with nine shutouts in 66 career AHL contests for the Bulldogs. He signed as a free agent with Montreal on July 3, 2008.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month include Adirondack’s Johan Backlund, Albany’s Justin Peters, Binghamton’s Chris Holt, Bridgeport’s Nathan Lawson, Chicago’s Peter Mannino, Houston’s Wade Dubielewicz, Lake Erie’s Tyler Weiman, Lowell’s Jeff Frazee, Manchester’s Jonathan Bernier, Peoria’s Ben Bishop, Portland’s Jhonas Enroth, Rochester’s Alexander Salak, Rockford’s Joe Fallon, San Antonio’s Justin Pogge, Syracuse’s Kevin Lalande, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s John Curry and Worcester’s Alex Stalock.
