Svedberg tabbed as March’s top rookie

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Providence Bruins goaltender Niklas Svedberg has been selected as the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for March.

Svedberg went 7-1-0 in eight starts during March, recording a 1.95 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage to bring the Bruins to the brink of a Calder Cup Playoff berth.

Svedberg began the month by stopping 18 of 19 shots in a 3-1 victory over Worcester on Mar. 1. He made 29 saves to backstop a 7-1 win over Portland on Mar. 3, and set a personal season-best with 45 stops before stopping six of seven shootout attempts to help the Bruins past the Sharks, 4-3, on Mar. 9. Svedberg helped Providence to a home-and-home sweep of Springfield, winning 3-2 in a shootout on Mar. 15 and 5-2 in regulation on Mar. 16, and earned his seventh win in a row with 26 saves (plus a 7-for-8 shootout showing) at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Mar. 29, improving to 20-1-1 in his previous 22 decisions.

For the month, Svedberg allowed 16 goals on 239 shots in regulation and overtime play, and denied 18 of 20 chances over three shootouts.

In 43 appearances for Providence this season, Svedberg has a record of 32-8-2 and ranks second in the league in wins, eighth in goals-against average (2.26) and seventh in save percentage (.922). The 23-year-old native of Sollentuna, Sweden, who represented the host Bruins at the 2013 Dunkin’ Donuts AHL All-Star Classic in Providence, signed as a free agent with Boston on May 29, 2012, after winning the Swedish Elitserien championship with Brynas IF in 2011-12.

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

Also see: Past winners, AHL Rookie of the Month