Pensacola's Abbott Named CCM ECHL Rookie of the Month

January 7, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release

PRINCETON, N.J. - Pensacola Ice Pilots forward Jim Abbott is the CCM ECHL Rookie of the Month for December.

Selected in the seventh round (216th overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2000 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Abbott led the ECHL with 12 goals and led all ECHL rookies with 18 points (12g-6a) in 12 games in December. The 23-year-old Abbott led the Ice Pilots with six power-play goals, two game-winning goals and was a team-best +4.

The 6-1 and 200-pound Abbott ended the month tied for the ECHL lead with nine power-play goals while leading league rookies with 18 goals and 17 power-play points (9g-8a) and ranking fourth among rookies with 31 points (18g-13a) in 28 games.

He had an eight-game goal scoring streak, one game shy of the ECHL season-high, in which he scored 11 goals. He had a goal in nine games, including three two-goal games, and registered a point in 11 of 12 games. In a 5-4 shootout loss against Pensacola on December 14, Abbott converted a penalty shot in the third period to tie the game at 4-4.

The native of Mars, Pa. leads the Ice Pilots with 19 goals, four game-winning goals and nine power-play goals while ranking second on the team with 17 power-play points (9g-8a) and 32 points (19g-13a).

Abbott played four years at the University of New Hampshire scoring 94 points (38g-46a) in 141 games, including a career-high 12 goals and 30 points in 42 games in 2002-03.

Runners Up: Kevin Doell, Gwinnett (14 gp, 7g, 12a, 19 pts, +7), Kevin Spiewak, South Carolina (11 gp, 5g, 10a, 15 pts, +8) and Nick Boucher, Wheeling (12 gp, 9-2-1, 3.05 GAA, .887 save pct.).

Also Nominated: Joe Talbot (Alaska), Jon Cullen (Atlantic City), Rory Rawlyk (Charlotte), Tyler Masters (Cincinnati), Tomas Micka (Columbus), Martin Paquet (Dayton), Gray Shaneberger (Florida), Eric Fortier (Greensboro), Miguel Delisle (Idaho), Chad Cavanagh (Johnstown), Brent Krahn (Las Vegas), Ed McGrane (Louisiana), Jason Kean (Mississippi), George Halkidis (Peoria), Jason Maleyko (Reading), Greg Barber (San Diego), John Snowden (Texas) and Devin Rask (Trenton).

ECHL Stories from January 7, 2004

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• Jim Abbott Named CCM ECHL Rookie Of the Month - Pensacola Ice Pilots
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• Pensacola's Abbott Named CCM ECHL Rookie of the Month - ECHL
• Inman, Baxter and Rowe Named C&T Hockey Products ECHL Plus Performers of the Month - ECHL
• Etienne Beaudry Will Participate In Mr. Manatees Alumni Game - Pensacola Ice Pilots
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