Barons' Stafford named AHL Rookie of the Month
February 2, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL) News Release
SPRINGFIELD, MA ... The American Hockey League announced today that Cleveland Barons defenseman Garrett Stafford has been named the AHL Rookie of the Month for January. In 15 games, Stafford recorded three goals and 13 assists for 16 points as Cleveland moved into second place in the North Division and moved closer to its first Calder Cup Playoff berth.
Stafford began the month with a five-game scoring streak, highlighted by a one-goal, two-assist effort on Jan. 4 at Syracuse and by scoring the winning goal in a 4-3 victory over Hamilton on Jan. 9. He recorded five multiple-point games during January, and the Barons were 6-2-0-1 when he found the scoresheet. Stafford also recorded a plus-7 rating on the month, tied for the team lead.
In recognition of his accomplishment, Stafford will be presented with an etched crystal trophy by the AHL prior to an upcoming game.
Following a stellar four-year career at the University of New Hampshire, Stafford ranks first among all AHL defensemen in scoring with 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in 42 games this season. A recent addition to the PlanetUSA roster for next week's 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic, the 23-year-old Los Angeles native also sits tied for second in the league's rookie scoring race. Stafford began the season on a tryout with Cleveland before signing his first NHL contract with San Jose on Dec. 9.
Other nominees for AHL Rookie of the Month for January include Albany center Adrian Foster, Binghamton center Brooks Laich, Chicago left wing Karl Stewart, Cincinnati left wing Chris Kunitz, Hamilton goaltender Olivier Michaud, Hershey goaltender Tom Lawson, Houston right wing Matt Foy, Lowell defenseman Brad Fast, Manchester left wing Noah Clarke, Milwaukee left wing Timofei Shishkanov, Norfolk defenseman Duncan Keith, Philadelphia defenseman Freddy Meyer, Rochester center Michael Ryan, San Antonio left wing Gregory Campbell, Springfield goaltender David LeNeveu, Syracuse right wing Joe Motzko, Toronto right wing J.J. Hunter, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton right wing Michel Ouellet and Worcester center Jay McClement.
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