Thomas Vanek named to All-Rookie Team
April 6, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release
(Rochester, NY)... The American Hockey League announced today that Rochester Americans left wing Thomas Vanek has been named to the 2004-05 AHL All-Rookie Team. Vanek was one of six players honored by the league. The recipients were voted on by the AHL players and media in each of the league's 28 member cities.
Vanek becomes the first Amerk to receive the honor since the 1999-00 season, when goalie Mika Noronen and defenseman Dmitri Kalinin made the All-Rookie Team.
This season, Vanek leads all rookies with 34 goals and is tied for the AHL lead with 19 power-play markers in 68 games for the league-leading Amerks. The native of Graz, Austria, was voted to the starting lineup for the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, but missed the event while playing for Austria in an Olympic qualifier. Earlier this season, he was named the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for November 22-28, after recording seven points in four games.
The 21 year old was the Buffalo Sabres' first-round selection (fifth overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, following his college career at the University of Minnesota. He played two seasons with the Golden Gophers and picked up 113 points (57+56) in 83 games. In his freshman season (2002-03), Vanek led the team with 62 points (31+31), and the nation with 31 goals. He earned Frozen Four tournament MVP honors as the Gophers went on to win the NCAA title that season.
The team consists of one goaltender, two defensemen and three forwards:
2004-05 AHL All-Rookie Team
Goaltender Cam Ward Lowell Lock Monsters 46gp, 24-16-3, 2.04gaa, .935sv%
Defenseman Kevin Bieksa Manitoba Moose 73gp, 10+26=36pts., +22
Defenseman Chris Campoli Bridgeport Sound Tigers 72gp, 13+32=45pts., +15
Forward Brandon Bochenski Binghamton Senators 69gp, 29+32=61pts., 10 PPG
Forward Rene Bourque Norfolk Admirals 72gp, 33+25=58pts., 8 GWG
Forward Thomas Vanek Rochester Americans 68gp, 34+24=58pts., 19 PPG
Each All-Rookie Team member will receive a custom designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the 2004-05 AHL All-Rookie Team.
Previous selections to the annual AHL All-Rookie Team include Dan Cloutier (1997), Jean-Sebastien Giguere (1998), Zdeno Chara (1998), Brendan Morrison (1998), Marc Savard (1998), Daniel Briere (1998), J.P. Dumont (1999), Robert Esche (1999), Dan Boyle (1999), Cory Sarich (1999), Dmitri Kalinin (2000), Rico Fata (2000), Jonathan Cheechoo (2001), Michael Leighton (2002), Barret Jackman (2002), Jason Spezza (2003), Darren Haydar (2003) and Michel Ouellet (2004).
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