Arnason, Leighton Named to All-Rookie Team
Published on March 28, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Today the Norfolk Admirals announced center Tyler Arnason and goaltender Michael Leighton have been named to the 2002 AHL All-Rookie Team, as determined by AHL players and media in each of the League's 27 cities.
Arnason, selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh round (183rd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, is currently on assignment with the Admirals' parent club. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on February 13, 2002 and scored his first NHL goal 13 days later at Philadelphia. The 23-year old has registered four points (three goals, one assist) and two penalty minutes in 14 contests with Chicago this season.
Arnason saw action in 60 games for the Admirals, posting 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) and 42 PIM prior to joining the Blackhawks. Named the League's Rookie of the Month in December 2001 after posting 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 12 games that month, he holds Norfolk's franchise record for most points in a season, a mark previously held by Casey Hankinson (30+21=51, 2000-01). Despite his recall in February of this year, Arnason continues to lead the Admirals in goals, assists, points and power play goals (11). He also leads all AHL rookies in power play tallies and sits second on the goals, assists and points charts among the League's rookie scorers.
Leighton, a sixth round selection (165th overall) of the Blackhawks in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, holds the fourth place slot on the AHL's goals against chart with a 2.19 GAA, and has registered a 24-15-8 record and .919 save percentage through 48 appearances this season with Norfolk. A native of Petrolia, Ont., Leighton has posted six shutouts this year, three shy of the AHL record (Gordie Bell, nine, Buffalo, 1942-43, 52 games), but a franchise-high for Norfolk (Jeff Maund, three, 2000-01, 42 games). He was named the ITECH AHL goaltender of the month for October 2001 after posting a 4-1-2 mark, 1.53 GAA and .937 save percentage in seven outings for the Admirals that month.
The 20-year old netminder was recalled briefly to Chicago on November 4, 2001 and dressed for but did not play in the Blackhawks' game in Detroit that same evening. He returned to the Admirals on November 12, 2001.
Both players were participants in this season's AHL All-Star Classic held on February 14, 2002 in St. John's, Newfoundland. Arnason, skating for PlanetUSA, scored a goal in the contest while Leighton, a member of the Canadian All-Stars, picked up the victory in the 13-11 decision.
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