SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Portland Pirates left wing Tim Kennedy has been named the Reebok Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month for February. Kennedy recorded nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 12 games for the Pirates last month.
Kennedy, who entered February without a goal in 28 games, kicked off the month by scoring twice against Worcester on Feb. 4. He recorded a goal and an assist in a Feb. 10 game against Albany at the HSBC Arena in his native Buffalo, set a career high with four points (1-3-4) in Portland’s 6-5 come-from-behind shootout loss vs. Providence on Feb. 14, and notched his first professional hat trick in a 7-6 shootout win at Lowell on Feb. 15. Kennedy picked up a goal and an assist on Feb. 27 at Worcester, and scored again on Feb. 28 vs. Hartford.
In recognition of his achievement, Kennedy will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Pirates home game.
Kennedy has totaled 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points in 55 games for Portland this season and is currently the top-scoring rookie in the AHL. The 22-year-old Kennedy has also appeared in one NHL game this season, making his big-league debut for his hometown Sabres on Dec. 27, 2008. Originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2005, Kennedy played three seasons at Michigan State and helped the Spartans to an NCAA championship in 2007.
Other nominees for Reebok Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month include Albany center Nick Dodge, Binghamton defenseman Mattias Karlsson, Bridgeport left wing Jesse Joensuu, Chicago right wing Spencer Machacek, Grand Rapids center Justin Abdelkader, Hartford goaltender Matt Zaba, Houston right wing Matt Beaudoin, Iowa defenseman Adrian Veideman, Lowell right wing Matt Halischuk, Manchester center Justin Azevedo, Milwaukee goaltender Mark Dekanich, Norfolk goaltender Riku Helenius, Philadelphia left wing Patrick Maroon, Providence right wing Brad Marchand, Rochester right wing Michal Repik, San Antonio forward Kevin Porter, Syracuse center Nikita Filatov and Worcester left wing Jamie McGinn.
