Kinkaid earns weekly honor

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Albany Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid has been selected as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 25, 2011.

In his lone appearance last week, Kinkaid made 36 saves as the Devils shut out the Binghamton Senators, 3-0, at the Times Union Center in Albany on Wednesday night.

It was the second shutout of the season for Kinkaid, who stopped 12 shots in the first period, 15 in the second and nine more in the third. Kinkaid improved to 6-2-0 this season when facing at least 30 shots in a game.

Signed as a free agent by New Jersey on Apr. 18, 2011, Kinkaid has a record of 8-6-0 in 15 appearances with Albany this season. Among AHL rookies, he ranks first in wins (eight) and shutouts (two), and second in goals-against average (2.79) and save percentage (.908). The 22-year-old native of Farmingville, N.Y., played two seasons at nearby Union College and was the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference’s goaltender of the year in 2010-11, leading the Dutchmen to their first-ever appearance in the Division I NCAA tournament.

In recognition of his achievement, Kinkaid will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Devils home game.

Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week