SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Hershey Bears center Alexandre Giroux has been named the CCM/AHL Player of the Month for January. In 15 games last month, Giroux scored 18 goals and recorded nine assists for 27 points while also etching his name in the AHL record book.
Giroux completed his fifth NHL stint of the season with Washington and was assigned to Hershey on Jan. 3, in time to register a goal and three assists that night in a 6-2 win at Hartford. He came back the next evening and picked up four goals and five points in a 7-2 victory at Worcester. Giroux continued to find the net at a record-setting clip, and his third-period marker on Jan. 18 vs. Worcester gave him goals in 15 consecutive AHL games, bettering the league record set by Brett Hull during the 1986-87 season. Although the goal streak ended at 15, Giroux, who extended his point-scoring streak to 23 games before finally being shut out on Jan. 31 vs. Norfolk, totaled nine power-play goals, two shorthanded goals and four game-winners for the month.
In recognition of his achievement, Giroux will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bears home game.
Giroux leads the AHL with 36 goals and ranks second with 57 points in 40 games for Hershey on the season, while adding one goal and one assist in 11 NHL games with Washington. The 27-year-old Quebec City native has already secured his fifth consecutive 30-goal season in the AHL and now shows 234 goals and 195 assists for 429 points in 538 career AHL games.
Other nominees for CCM/AHL Player of the Month include Albany left wing Michael Ryan, Bridgeport right wing Mike Iggulden, Chicago right wing Jeff Hamilton, Grand Rapids right wing Darren Haydar, Hamilton center Ben Maxwell, Hartford right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Iowa defenseman Brian Salcido, Lake Erie goaltender Tyler Weiman, Manchester left wing Scott Parse, Milwaukee goaltender Drew MacIntyre, Norfolk center Bracken Kearns, Peoria left wing Steve Regier, Providence right wing Brad Marchand, Quad City left wing Kyle Greentree, Rochester center Janis Sprukts, San Antonio left wing David Spina, Syracuse left wing Steve Kelly, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Mark Letestu and Worcester right wing Ryan Vesce.
