SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Hershey Bears left wing Oskar Osala has been named the Reebok Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month for November. Osala recorded 10 goals, four assists and a plus-12 rating in 14 games for the Bears last month.
On Nov. 2 in Philadelphia, Osala picked up two goals and an assist in the third period as Hershey rallied from three goals down to earn a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Phantoms. He notched his first career hat trick on Nov. 15, also against Philadelphia, helping the Bears to a 7-3 victory. Osala wrapped up a five-game scoring streak with another three-point night on Nov. 26, picking up two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win over Binghamton, and closed out the month with another goal to help Hershey past Norfolk, 3-2, on Nov. 30.
In recognition of his achievement, Osala will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bears home game.
Osala ranks first among all AHL rookies with 16 goals and tied for second with 21 points in 24 games for Hershey this season. Overall, he is tied for second in goals and tied for the league lead with a plus-17 rating. The 20-year-old Osala is a native of Vaasa, Finland, and was a fourth-round draft choice by the Washington Capitals in 2006.
Other nominees for Reebok Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month include Albany center Stefan Chaput, Binghamton defenseman Mattias Karlsson, Bridgeport left wing Jesse Joensuu, Chicago center Matt Anderson, Grand Rapids center Cory Emmerton, Hamilton center Ryan White, Hartford defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti, Houston defenseman Justin Falk, Iowa left wing Matt Beleskey, Lake Erie center T.J. Galiardi, Lowell goaltender Jeff Frazee, Manchester center Justin Azevedo, Norfolk defenseman Daryl Boyle, Philadelphia left wing Claude Giroux, Portland center Nathan Gerbe, Providence right wing Brad Marchand, Quad City center John Armstrong, Rochester right wing Michal Repik, Rockford center Mike Radja, San Antonio forward Chad Kolarik, Syracuse center Nikita Filatov, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Dustin Jeffrey and Worcester center Steven Zalewski.
