SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Worcester Sharks forwards Logan Couture and Benn Ferriero have been named co-winners of the Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month award for December. In 10 games on the month, Couture had 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) and a plus-7 rating while Ferriero recorded 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and a plus-8 rating.
Couture and Ferriero helped Worcester to a 7-2-0-1 record for the month, leading an offense that averaged 3.80 goals per game in December. Couture recorded a point in nine of the 10 games, including his first two-goal game as a professional in a 4-2 victory at Springfield on Dec. 4. Ferriero set a personal best with a four-point night on Dec. 26, scoring twice and adding two assists in a 7-2 win over Springfield.
In recognition of their achievement, Couture and Ferriero will be presented with etched crystal awards prior to an upcoming Sharks home game.
Couture, 20, was the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by San Jose and is currently tied for the AHL lead among rookie scorers with 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in just 24 games for Worcester. The native of London, Ont., has added one goal and one assist in 11 games with San Jose over six separate NHL recalls, and was voted last week to the starting lineup for the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic. Ferriero, 22, was a 2006 draft choice by the Phoenix Coyotes and has registered nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 18 games with Worcester, along with two goals and three assists in 23 games during four stints in San Jose. Ferriero was signed as a free agent by San Jose on Sept. 1, 2009.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month include Adirondack defenseman Joonas Lehtivuori, Albany center Zach Boychuk, Bridgeport forward Matt Martin, Chicago defenseman Paul Postma, Hamilton defenseman P.K. Subban, Houston center Chad Rau, Lake Erie left wing Ryan Stoa, Lowell right wing Nick Palmieri, Manchester center Corey Elkins, Portland center Tyler Ennis, Rochester left wing Evgeny Dadonov, Rockford defenseman Brian Connelly, San Antonio right wing Matt Watkins, Syracuse center Tomas Kana and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward Eric Tangradi.
