SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Chris Minard has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Month for February. Minard notched eight goals and five assists for 13 points and notched a plus-7 rating in 10 games during the month.
Minard began his month with a goal on Feb. 3 vs. Hamilton, then chipped in with a goal and two assists vs. Houston on Feb. 11. The next night vs. San Antonio, Minard scored three times in a 7-4 Griffins win, and he added two assists at Chicago on Feb. 15 to give him eight points in a three-game span. Minard registered another hat trick on Feb. 24 – his second in five outings and the seventh of his AHL career – to help Grand Rapids to a 6-1 win over Lake Erie.
Minard, who missed the first three months of the season due to injury, has tallied 12 goals and five assists for 17 points along with a plus-9 rating in 17 games since returning to the Griffins lineup. In 349 career AHL contests, the Owen Sound, Ont., native has totaled 150 goals and 107 assists for 257 points, and he has also recorded two goals and four assists in 40 NHL games with Edmonton and Pittsburgh.
In recognition of his achievement, Minard will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Griffins home game.
