Flames' Gaudreau named NHL Rookie of Month
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau has been selected as the NHL's Rookie of the Month for December, the league announced Friday.
Gaudreau topped all rookies with eight goals and 13 points in 14 December games, highlighted by his first career hat trick in Calgary's 4-3 come-from- behind win over reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles on Dec. 22.
The 21-year-old became the youngest Flames player to record a hat trick since Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk on Dec. 28, 1987.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nashville forward Filip Forsberg, November's Rookie of the Month, also was considered for the December award along with Winnipeg goaltender Michael Hutchinson, Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad, Ottawa forward Mike Hoffman and Chicago goalie Antti Raanta.