SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Chicago Wolves left wing Brett Sterling has been named the Rbk Hockey/AHL Rookie of the Month for December.
This is the second month in a row that Sterling has earned the honor.
The 22-year-old standout scored 16 goals in 14 games during the month, and added five assists for 21 points to go with a plus-10 rating as the Wolves continued to light up scoreboards around the American Hockey League.
Highlighting the month for Sterling was a nine-game goal-scoring streak from Dec. 12-29, the longest in the league this season and the longest by an AHL rookie since Miroslav Satan scored in nine straight games in 1994-95. On Dec. 21 at San Antonio, Sterling recorded his second hat trick of the season in a wild 4-3 victory, twice breaking ties in the final minute of the game.
In recognition of his achievement, Sterling will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Wolves home game. A native of Los Angeles, Sterling leads the entire American Hockey League with 34 goals and ranks second overall with 53 points in 34 games. He is also the AHL leader with 15 power-play goals and is tied for first with five game-winning scores. Drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2003, Sterling spent four years at Colorado College, where he ranks third on the school’s all-time list with 108 career goals. He led the Tigers to a Frozen Four appearance in 2005 and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist in his junior and senior seasons.
Other nominees for the Rbk Hockey/AHL Rookie of the Month award include Albany goaltender Justin Peters, Hartford right wing Ryan Callahan, Houston left wing Ryan Hamilton, Iowa forward Chris Conner, Lowell defenseman Andy Greene, Manchester forward John Zeiler, Norfolk forward Troy Brouwer, Peoria defenseman Roman Polak, Providence left wing T.J. Trevelyan, Rochester center Janis Sprukts, San Antonio forward Bill Thomas, Syracuse right wing Adam Pineault, Toronto defenseman Jaime Sifers, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward Rob Schremp and Worcester defenseman Dan Spang.
