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 November.
The 22-year-old led the entire league with 14 goals in 12 games during the month, while adding 10 assists for 24 points and helping the Wolves move into first place in the AHL’s West Division.
Highlighting the month for Sterling was a five-point performance (2g, 3a) in Chicago’s 10-5 win at Peoria on Nov. 4, his first of six multiple-goal games on the month. He scored twice more in a 7-2 win at Syracuse on Nov. 10, and picked up two goals and two assists in the Wolves’ 8-2 triumph at Iowa on Nov. 14. Sterling tallied his first professional hat trick in a 6-3 win at division rival Omaha on Nov. 22, and recorded another four-point night in the Wolves 7-3 win against Houston on Nov. 25.
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 is the AHL’s rookie leader in goals and points this season, ranking tied for second overall with 18 goals and tied for third overall with 32 points in 20 games. 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, led the Tigers to a Frozen Four appearance in 2005 and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in his junior and senior seasons.
Other nominees for the Rbk Hockey/AHL Rookie of the Month award include Albany defenseman Kyle Cumiskey, Binghamton center Andrew Ebbett, Bridgeport right wing Blake Comeau, Grand Rapids right wing Ryan Keller, Hartford right wing Ryan Callahan, Houston left wing Benoit Pouliot, Iowa forward Marty Sertich, Manchester defenseman Peter Harrold, Norfolk forward Troy Brouwer, Peoria goaltender Marek Schwarz, Philadelphia center Ryan Potulny, Rochester center Janis Sprukts, Springfield goaltender Karri Ramo, Syracuse right wing Olivier Labelle, Toronto left wing Robbie Earl, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman Tom Gilbert and Worcester forward Joe Pavelski.
