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MacLean, Kuemper, Zatkoff Named American Hockey League Award Winners

Published on January 3, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ... The American Hockey League announced today that Portland Pirates right wing Brett MacLean has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Month for December. MacLean scored 11 goals and added five assists for 16 points to go along with a plus-5 rating in 13 games for the Pirates.

MacLean's month included four two-goal efforts and five multiple-point games. He scored twice in the third period of a 4-2 win at Bridgeport on Dec. 10, and came back with two goals and an assist the next night in a 5-4 shootout loss to Manchester. MacLean had another two-goal performance to help the Pirates defeat St. John's on Dec. 17, and he led the way with two goals and an assist in Portland's 6-3 win over Providence on Dec. 28. All 11 of MacLean's goals on the month came either with the score tied or with one team ahead by just a single goal.

A second-round draft pick (32nd overall) by Phoenix in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, MacLean has recorded 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points in 24 games with Portland this season. Re-acquired by the Coyotes off waivers on Oct. 29, MacLean began the season with Winnipeg, notching two assists in five NHL games. An AHL All-Star Classic participant in 2009 and 2011, MacLean has tallied 88 goals and 91 assists for 179 points in 225 career AHL games, and five points (2g, 3a) in 18 career NHL contests.

In recognition of his achievement, MacLean will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Pirates home game.

HOUSTON AEROS GOALTENDER DARCY KUEMPER NAMED REEBOK/AHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ... The American Hockey League announced today that Houston Aeros goaltender Darcy Kuemper has been named the Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month for December. Kuemper made eight appearances during the month and went 3-1-3 with a 1.72 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.

Kuemper made his AHL season debut on Dec. 2 and stopped 23 shots in a 4-3 victory at Rochester. From Dec. 6-11, he went 2-0-2 while allowing just four goals on 134 shots, earning Reebok/AHL Player of the Week honors; that stretch was highlighted by his first professional shutout, a 33-save effort vs. San Antonio on Dec. 9.

A 21-year-old from Saskatoon, Sask., Kuemper has seen action in nine AHL games since being recalled to the Aeros on Nov. 28 and is 3-2-3 with a 2.22 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. A 2009 draft pick by the Minnesota Wild, Kuemper was the Western Hockey League's Goaltender of the Year and Player of the Year in 2010-11, when he went 45-12-5 in 62 appearances for Red Deer and led the WHL in wins, GAA (1.86), save percentage (.933) and shutouts (13).

In recognition of his achievement, Kuemper will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Aeros home game.

MANCHESTER MONARCHS' JEFF ZATKOFF NAMED REEBOK/AHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ... The American Hockey League announced today that Jeff Zatkoff of the Manchester Monarchs has been named the Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month for December. In seven appearances during the month, Zatkoff went 5-2-0 with a 1.70 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage.

Zatkoff stopped 209 of 221 shots in December as the Monarchs continued to battle for first place in the Eastern Conference. His month was highlighted by a 38-save effort in a 2-1 shootout win over Worcester on Dec. 4, and a 40-save performance in a 3-1 win over the Sharks on Dec. 18. Zatkoff has not allowed more than three goals in any of his last 16 outings.

A third-round draft pick by Los Angeles in 2006, Zatkoff owns a 10-4-1 record for the Monarchs this season, including a 6-0-1 mark on home ice, and currently ranks third in the AHL with a 2.04 goals-against average and second with a .935 save percentage. The 24-year-old native of Detroit, Mich., is in his fourth professional season and is 41-32-6 with five shutouts in 87 career AHL appearances.

In recognition of his achievement, Zatkoff will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Monarchs home game.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2012


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