SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Manchester Monarchs center Brian Boyle has been named the Rbk Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month for January. Boyle recorded six goals and six assists for 12 points along with a plus-6 rating in 12 games for the Monarchs last month.
Boyle kicked off the new year by scoring the game-winning goal and adding an assist in a 5-3 victory at Worcester on Jan. 4. He had two more points vs. Binghamton on Jan. 5, and ran his goal-scoring streak to four games with a tally vs. Albany on Jan. 9. Boyle scored twice for the Monarchs at Chicago on Jan. 19, assisted on the winning score on Jan. 23 vs. Worcester and became the first AHL rookie to hit the 20-goal mark this season on Jan. 25 vs. Lowell.
In recognition of his achievement, Boyle will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Monarchs home game.
Boyle, 23, was a first-round draft pick (26th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in 2003 and played four seasons at Boston College, leading the Hockey East conference in scoring with 53 points as a senior in 2006-07. A native of Hingham, Mass., Boyle leads all AHL rookies with 20 goals and is second with 42 points in 46 games for Manchester this season.
Other nominees for Rbk Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month include Albany right wing Jerome Samson, Binghamton center Alexander Nikulin, Bridgeport defenseman Dustin Kohn, Chicago center Bryan Little, Houston right wing Cal Clutterbuck, Lake Erie right wing David Jones, Lowell right wing Trevor Kell, Manitoba right wing Michael Grabner, Milwaukee center Mike Santorelli, Norfolk center Paul Szczechura, Peoria center Julian Talbot, Providence left wing Aaron Slattengren, Quad City defenseman Matt Pelech, Rochester defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani, Rockford right wing Derek Nesbitt, Syracuse left wing Tom Sestito and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender John Curry.
