Colin Wilson Named AHL Rookie of the Month

Colin Wilson has another feather in his cap in his desire to return to the Nashville Predators. He was named the AHL Rookie of the month for January based on his recent surge after recovering from a long standing groin injury.

Wilson has to be getting closer to a return based on his recent run of strong games. Barry Trotz had indicated a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to see strong performance over a longer haul than for the few games in question at the time. Since then he has done exactly that.

It will be interesting to see when he makes a return to Nashville.

Here is the full release from the AHL...


MILWAUKEE CENTER COLIN WILSON NAMED REEBOK/AHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Milwaukee Admirals center Colin Wilson has been named the Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month for January. In 17 games during a busy month, Wilson tallied seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points along with a plus-5 rating.

Wilson entered January with just five points in his first 16 AHL games, but by month’s end he had cracked the league’s top 20 among rookie scorers for the season. Wilson notched his first multiple-point game as a pro on Jan. 3 at Hamilton, registering a goal and two assists in a 6-4 loss to the Bulldogs. He had an assist in three straight games from Jan. 7-10, and then went off for five points (1g, 4a) in Milwaukee’s 6-2 win at Manitoba on Jan. 16, at the time tying an AHL season high. Wilson wrapped up the month on a five-game scoring streak, including a goal and an assist on Jan. 31 vs. Hamilton.

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

Wilson, 20, was the seventh overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by Nashville and currently sits with 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 33 games with Milwaukee. Wilson began the season with the Predators and notched two points in 10 games, including his first career NHL goal on Oct. 21 at Boston. Born in Greenwich, Conn., while his dad Carey played for the New York Rangers, Wilson represented the United States at the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Championships. In 2008-09, he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and helped Boston University capture an NCAA championship.

Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month include Adirondack defenseman Joonas Lehtivuori, Albany center Chris Terry, Chicago defenseman Paul Postma, Hamilton defenseman P.K. Subban, Hartford goaltender Chad Johnson, Houston center Cody Almond, Lake Erie left wing Justin Mercier, Lowell defenseman Matt Taormina, Manchester center Corey Elkins, Manitoba right wing Sergei Shirokov, Norfolk goaltender Dustin Tokarski, Portland center Tyler Ennis, Rochester goaltender Alexander Salak, Rockford defenseman Brian Connelly, San Antonio center MacGregor Sharp, Syracuse center Tomas Kana, Texas center Travis Morin, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward Eric Tangradi and Worcester left wing Brandon Mashinter.

More Later...

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