Lehtonen Named Goalie of the Month for the Second Time This Season
Published on April 1, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
Chicago Wolves goaltender Kari Lehtonen has been named the Koho American Hockey League Goaltender of the Month for March, the second time he has earned such an award this season.
Lehtonen registered a 9-1-0 record, a 2.57 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage last month to help the Wolves claim their 11th playoff berth in 11 seasons. Lehtonen's lone loss of the month ended a 13-game winning streak, the second-longest of its kind in the league this season.
The Atlanta Thrashers' first pick  and second overall  in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft ranks second in the league with a career-high 36 wins, third with 1,596 saves and fourth with 3,199:28 minutes played in a career-most 54 appearances.
Lehtonen also earned the honor in December when he recorded a 9-1-0 record, a 1.70 goals-against average, a .948 save percentage and two shutouts.
The starting netminder for the PlanetUSA All-Star Team in the 2005 AHL All-Star Game has been recognized by The Hockey News three times this season as the league's first-half MVP, the No. 1 AHL prospect and the No. 3 NHL prospect in the world.
Last year, the 21-year-old netminder accrued a 20-14-2 record, a 2.41 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in 39 games with the Wolves during his rookie season. He also recorded a perfect 4-0-0 mark in as many games with Atlanta last season, including his first NHL shutout on March 27 against the Florida Panthers.
The Helsinki, Finland, native was named the top NHL prospect in the world by The Hockey News in 2003 and 2004 and was also honored by the publication as the 2004 minor pro prospect of the year. Lehtonen served as the backup goaltender for runner-up Finland in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2005
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- Toivonen Holds Off Monarchs; B's Win In A Shootout - Manchester Monarchs
- Falcons Fall in Overtime to Wolf Pack - Springfield Falcons
- Utah Grizzlies defeat Grand Rapids Griffins - Utah Grizzlies
- Lupul's three goals do trick over Rampage - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Sens hold first place with shootout win - Binghamton Senators
- Toivonen huge in shootout win - Providence Bruins
- Papineau Power Sound Tigers Past Norfolk 7-3 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Phantoms edge Hershey 4-3 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Lupul named National City Mighty Ducks Player of the Month - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Lehtonen Named Goalie of the Month for the Second Time This Season - Chicago Wolves
- Pirates Statement on Civic Center Lease Negotiations - Portland Pirates
- Rampage Game Day - San Antonio Rampage
- Bieksa named AHL Rookie of the Month for March - Manitoba Moose
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Amerks' game sold out - Rochester Americans
- Saturday Is Another Original Six Night - Cleveland Barons
- Phantoms' Little wins CCM AHL Milestone of the Month award - AHL
- Wolves' Lehtonen named Koho AHL Goaltender of the Month - AHL
- Moose's Bieksa named Reebok AHL Rookie of the Month - AHL
- Providence Bruins sign Andrew Alberts - Providence Bruins
- Lock Monsters assign Matt Hendricks - Albany Devils
- Maple Leafs' road game April 3 moved to Buffalo - Toronto Marlies
- Bears look to keep hope alive tonight in Philadelphia - Hershey Bears
- Grizzlies Sign Boston College Star David Spina - Utah Grizzlies
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