SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Hershey Bears left wing Alexandre Giroux has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Month for October. Giroux registered seven goals, seven assists and a plus-9 rating in just seven games for the Bears last month.
The reigning AHL most valuable player began the 2009-10 season by assisting on all three Hershey goals in a 3-2 victory over Norfolk on Oct. 3. Giroux’s first two goals of the season came in Binghamton on Oct. 10 and were the first two Bears tallies in what would be an 8-1 win over the Senators. He scored twice more, including the game-winner in overtime, in Hershey’s 3-2 win at Binghamton on Oct. 17, and returned from an NHL stint in Washington to record two goals and two assists in the Bears’ 6-0 victory at Hartford on Oct. 30.
In recognition of his achievement, Giroux will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bears home game.
Despite missing four of Hershey’s first 11 games, Giroux leads the team in assists (7), points (14) and plus/minus (+9) and is tied for the club lead in goals (7) and game-winners (2) heading into November. Giroux helped the Bears to the Calder Cup championship in 2009, leading the AHL in scoring in both the regular season (60-37-97) and the playoffs (15-13-28). In 576 career AHL games, Giroux has registered 265 goals and 218 assists for 483 points. He also has four goals and three assists in 25 career NHL games, including one goal in three games with Washington this season.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Month include Adirondack center Jon Matsumoto, Albany right wing Jerome Samson, Binghamton right wing Ryan Keller, Chicago left wing Brett Sterling, Grand Rapids center Kris Newbury, Hamilton center Tom Pyatt, Hartford right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Lake Erie right wing Darren Haydar, Lowell defenseman Matt Taormina, Manchester right wing Scott Parse, Manitoba center Marco Rosa, Milwaukee center Cal O’Reilly, Norfolk center Ryan Craig, Peoria defenseman Jonas Junland, Providence defenseman Andy Wozniewski, Rochester right wing Michal Repik, Rockford center Mark Cullen, San Antonio center Joel Perrault, Springfield left wing Chris Minard, Syracuse left wing Alexandre Picard, Texas right wing Colton Sceviour, Toronto left wing Jiri Tlusty, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton left wing Ryan Bayda and Worcester defenseman Danny Groulx.
