Samson named AHL Player of the Month

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Albany River Rats right wing Jerome Samson has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Month for March. Samson scored 10 goals and notched 14 assists for 24 points in 12 games on the month.

Samson’s month included three four-point efforts, two three-point nights and his first career hat trick, all while helping Albany close in on a berth in the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs. Samson began March by scoring a goal and adding three assists in a 6-1 win over Binghamton on Mar. 2. He became the River Rats’ first 30-goal scorer in nine years during a two-goal outing on Mar. 6 at Norfolk, and his second goal of the game on Mar. 10 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tied the score with 10.3 seconds left in regulation. Samson had a goal and three assists in a 5-3 win over Worcester on Mar. 17, and led the way with three goals and an assist as Albany beat Adirondack, 6-2, on Mar. 24. Samson closed out the month with three assists in a 5-1 win at Springfield on Mar. 28.

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

Samson ranks second in the AHL with 37 goals and fourth with 76 points in 72 games for Albany this season. The third-year pro from Greenfield Park, Que., is also the league leader with 327 shots on goal. Samson, 22, shows 80 goals and 89 assists for 169 points in 207 career AHL games, and he has one assist in six NHL games after making his NHL debut with Carolina on Jan. 7, 2010.

Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Month include Adirondack center Jon Matsumoto, Chicago right wing Spencer Machacek, Hamilton center David Desharnais, Hartford center Kris Newbury, Houston right wing Duncan Milroy, Lake Erie center T.J. Hensick, Lowell center Michael Swift, Manchester defenseman Alec Martinez, Manitoba defenseman Lawrence Nycholat, Norfolk center Dana Tyrell, Peoria defenseman Nate Guenin, Portland left wing Nathan Gerbe, Rochester defenseman Clay Wilson, Rockford center Matt Keith, San Antonio left wing Alexandre Picard, Texas center Aaron Gagnon and Worcester right wing Dan DaSilva.