Sterling earns milestone award for 50th goal

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League has named Chicago Wolves forward Brett Sterling as the recipient of the CCM/AHL Milestone of the Month award for March.

On Mar. 16 in Omaha, Sterling became just the fifth rookie in American Hockey League history to score 50 goals in a season, reaching the plateau with a second-period goal off the Knights’ Curtis McElhinney. Sterling finished the night with three points to help Chicago to a 5-4 overtime victory.

Previous AHL rookies with 50-goal seasons were Patrick Lebeau (50 in 1990-91), Stephan Lebeau (70 in 1988-89), Brett Hull (50 in 1986-87) and Mitch Lamoureux (57 in 1982-83).

A 22-year-old native of Los Angeles, Sterling leads the American Hockey League with 52 goals and ranks second overall with 93 points in 72 games for the Wolves. He is also first with 21 power-play goals and second with 262 shots on goal, and has recorded three hat tricks on the year.

In recognition of earning the CCM/AHL Milestone of the Month, Sterling will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Wolves home game.