MacLean named Player of the Month

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Portland Pirates right wing Brett MacLean has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Month for December. MacLean scored 11 goals and added five assists for 16 points to go along with a plus-5 rating in 13 games for the Pirates.

MacLean’s month included four two-goal efforts and five multiple-point games. He scored twice in the third period of a 4-2 win at Bridgeport on Dec. 10, and came back with two goals and an assist the next night in a 5-4 shootout loss to Manchester. MacLean had another two-goal performance to help the Pirates defeat St. John’s on Dec. 17, and he led the way with two goals and an assist in Portland’s 6-3 win over Providence on Dec. 28. All 11 of MacLean’s goals on the month came either with the score tied or with one team ahead by just a single goal.

A second-round draft pick (32nd overall) by Phoenix in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, MacLean has recorded 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points in 24 games with Portland this season. Re-acquired by the Coyotes off waivers on Oct. 29, MacLean began the season with Winnipeg, notching two assists in five NHL games. An AHL All-Star Classic participant in 2009 and 2011, MacLean has tallied 88 goals and 91 assists for 179 points in 225 career AHL games, and five points (2g, 3a) in 18 career NHL contests.

In recognition of his achievement, MacLean will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Pirates home game.