Capitals' Ovechkin Named NHL Offensive Player and Rookie of the Month
Contact Information: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / FEBRUARY 1, 2006
CAPITALS' OVECHKIN NAMED TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER, ROOKIE OF THE MONTH;
THIRD ROOKIE TO EARN DUAL HONORS SINCE 1983-84
NEW YORK (February 1, 2006) -- Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin, who led all players in scoring with 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in 14 games, has been named the NHL Offensive Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month for January.
Ovechkin edged Atlanta Thrashers RW Marian Hossa (10-11--21 in 14 games), Colorado Avalanche LW Alex Tanguay (10-9--19 in 13 games) and Anaheim Mighty Ducks RW Teemu Selanne (6-12--18 in 11 games) for the Offensive Player of the Month Award.
Also considered for rookie honors were Pittsburgh Penguins C Sidney Crosby (6-12--18 in 15 games) and RW Michel Ouellet (8-6--14, in 15 games), Colorado Avalanche RW Marek Svatos (10-2--12 in 13 games), Boston Bruins RW Brad Boyes (5-8--13 in 14 games), Phoenix Coyotes D Keith Ballard (2-11--13 in 13 games) and NY Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist (7-2-0, 1.97 GAA).
Ovechkin recorded at least one point in 12 of 14 contests, including a five-game goal-scoring streak from Jan. 10 to Jan. 19. The 20-year-old Moscow, Russia native scored 28% of the Capitals' goals and earned points on 53% of them (21 of 40). He recorded seven multiple-point games, including three-point outings against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks Jan. 13, where he recorded his first career hat trick including the game-winner in overtime, and versus the Phoenix Coyotes Jan. 16.
Named to the Russian Olympic team Dec. 22, Ovechkin leads the Capitals and all NHL rookies in scoring and is tied for seventh in the NHL overall with 65 points (34 goals, 31 assists). He is the third player since the inception of the Rookie of the Month Award in 1983-84 to earn top Player and Rookie honors in the same month, joining Washington goaltender Jim Carey in March, 1995 and Winnipeg Jets right wing Teemu Selanne in January, 1993.
(for more, please see attachment)
Offensive-Rookie_award_January_2006.pdf
Let's Go Caps!
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