Former Admiral Rinne Named NHL Rookie of the Month
Published on March 3, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
Milwaukee, WI - Nashville Predators goaltender, and former Milwaukee Admiral, Pekka Rinne has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for February. Rinne posted a 9-2-1 record with a 1.72 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and two shutouts in 12 appearances.
Five of Rinne's nine victories were one-goal decisions, including two in shootouts (4-3 over St. Louis on Feb. 12 and 3-2 over Boston on Feb. 14), one in overtime (1-0 at St. Louis on Feb. 21) and two by a 2-1 score (at Edmonton on Feb. 1 and vs. Phoenix on Feb. 3). He closed the month by reaching the 20-win mark and tying a franchise record with his sixth shutout of the season in an 8-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Rinne ranks second in the NHL in goals-against average (2.15), tied for second in shutouts (six), third in save percentage (.926) and is 3-0 in shootouts. His shootout save percentage of .900 is second-best among goaltenders facing at least five attempts.
Rinne spent three seasons with the Admirals and accumulated an 81-49-11 record with a .909 save percentage and a 2.56 goals against average. He tied an Admirals record with 36 wins in 2007-08 and his 81 career victories are third all-time in franchise annals. The Kempele, Finland native helped guide the Admirals to the 2006 Calder Cup Finals and he is just the second netminder in team history to record two 30-win seasons.
The Admirals are back in action next Thursday and Friday when they play host to the Iowa Chops for two straight games. Fans can buy tickets by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Groups of ten or more people receive a minimum of $2 off of each ticket. For more information or to order group tickets call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550.
American Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2009
- Crunch Downed by Dogs in OT - Syracuse Crunch
- Sound Tigers get dropped by Admirals, 3-1 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bulldogs edge Crunch in OT, 3-2 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Admirals Simmer Down Sound Tigers - Norfolk Admirals
- Admirals Sign Two Players to Tryout Contracts - Norfolk Admirals
- Rampage Celebrate Record Breaking Night - San Antonio Rampage
- Chicago Sends Duo To Gwinnett - Chicago Wolves
- Crunch Players to Sign Autographs at Dunkin' Donuts March 9 - Syracuse Crunch
- Former Admiral Rinne Named NHL Rookie of the Month - Norfolk Admirals
- Griffins Host Rockford Before Texas Trip - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Rampage Release Kinnunen from PTO - San Antonio Rampage
- Brandon Roach Added To Flames Blueline - Abbotsford Heat
- Aeros Update - Houston Aeros
- San Jose Sharks Recall Forwards Brad Staubitz And Lukas Kaspar From Worcester - Worcester Sharks
- Sharks end February with a bang - Worcester Sharks
- Lightning Recall RW Brandon Segal and C Paul Szczechura from Admirals - Norfolk Admirals
- River Rats Release Ryan Cruthers From PTO - Albany River Rats
- Wolf Pack's Zaba Earns AHL Goaltender of the Month Honors - Connecticut Whale
- Calgary Flames Acquire Defenceman Lawrence Nycholat - Abbotsford Heat
- Rangers Claim Sean Avery Off Waivers - Connecticut Whale
- Marlies Forward Jiri Tlusty Named AHL Player of the Month - Toronto Marlies
- Stamoulis Released From PTO - Providence Bruins
- Montreal Assigns Kyle Chipchura To Hamilton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Marlies' Tlusty named CCM/AHL Player of the Month - AHL
- Wolf Pack's Zaba named Reebok X-Pulse/AHL Goaltender of the Month - AHL
- Pirates' Kennedy named Reebok Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month - AHL
- Marlies Host Providence For First Time In Team History - Toronto Marlies
- Albany's Dwight Helminen Recalled To Carolina - Albany River Rats
- Wolves Captain to Speak With Local French Students - Chicago Wolves
- Florida Panthers Recall Defenseman Keaton Ellerby - Rochester Americans
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