Brandon Saad Tapped as 2008-2009 Rookie of the Year
April 14, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
FRISCO, TX (Tuesday, April 14th, 2009) - The North American Hockey League has announced that Mahoning Valley Phantoms forward Brandon Saad has been named Rookie of the Year, along with its All-Rookie Team for the 2008-09 season.
Saad, from Gibsonia, PA, totaled 29 goals for 47 points in 47 regular-season games with the Phantoms. He was also a team-best plus-21.
"Brandon is the most well-rounded prospect I've coached, or even seen," said Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt. "He pretty much can do it all. He's very dominant physically, does a very good job defensively, wins battles, and, for a big man (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), has unbelievable agility."
Saad, 16, was also a member of the U.S. National Under-17 Team that earned a bronze medal at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge held in Port Alberni, British Columbia, in December-January. He was named to the tournament's all-star team after finishing tied for the team lead in scoring (four goals, five assists).
"He's very mature for a young man," Mainhardt added. "He's really dealt with all the attention he's gotten very well. He's just a part of the team. He's a funny, regular 16-year-old. He's a little more mature, but you can see the kid in him sometimes. He just loves playing the game and he fits in well. His teammates love him."
Saad, a three-time winner of the Sherwood/NAHL North Division Player of the Week Award, was also named to the NAHL All-Rookie Team.
"Because of his size and physical stature, we joke that we need to check his birth certificate because he's so young," said Mainhardt. "He's the youngest player on our team, but he looks like one of the older guys and he carries himself that way, too."
2008-09 NAHL All-Rookie Team
Forward: Trent Frey, Springfield Jr. Blues
Forward: Brandon Saad, Mahoning Valley Phantoms
Forward: Mike Voran, Wenatchee Wild
Defenseman: Brandon Burrell, Wenatchee Wild
Defenseman: Tim Smith, Owatonna Express
Goaltender: David Bosner, Bismarck Bobcats
NAHL players in their first year of Junior A hockey are considered rookies.
The NAHL Academic Achievement Award, Community Service Award, Coach of the Year, General Manager of the Year and Organization of the Year will be announced in the coming weeks.
The All-NAHL Team, Goaltender of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Forward of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced at the Robertson Cup Championship banquet on Monday, April 27.
The Phantoms open the North Division Finals of the 2009 NAHL Playoffs against Team USA on Thursday at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, MI. The puck drops for Game One at 7:00 PM.
The contest will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 6:45 PM.
The winner of the best-of-five divisional final series will move on to the Robertson Cup Tournament in Mason City, IA, starting April 28th.
All Phantoms merchandise is on sale for 40% off at the Phantoms Team Shop at both the Chevrolet Centre and the Ice Zone while the Phantoms are in the playoffs. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2009
- U.S. Men's Nat'l U18 Team Edged by Russia, 6-5 - U.S. National Team
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Announces Second Round Playoff Schedule - U.S. National Team
- Brandon Saad Tapped as 2008-2009 Rookie of the Year - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- NAHL announces divisional finals playoff schedule - NAHL
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