Miele named top rookie for November

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Portland Pirates center Andy Miele has been named the Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month for November. Miele tallied 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and a plus-7 rating in 10 games to help the Pirates to a 7-2-1-0 record for the month.

Miele began the month in the NHL, completing a five-game stint with the parent Phoenix Coyotes. He returned to Portland and put together a six-game scoring streak from Nov. 9-19, scoring the winning goal and adding an assist in a 4-2 win over Adirondack on Nov. 15. Miele scored twice in regulation and assisted on the overtime tally in the Pirates’ 4-3 victory over Worcester on Nov. 25, and dished out two more assists in a 3-1 win over the Sharks on Nov. 26.

Miele, 23, won the Hobey Baker Award as the outstanding player in U.S. college hockey last season, when he led the nation with 71 points in 39 games at Miami (Ohio) University. The native of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., ranks third in the AHL in rookie scoring with 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 14 games for Portland this season while also appearing in five NHL contests with the Coyotes. Miele signed as a free agent with Phoenix on Apr. 2, 2011.

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