STARS’ KLINGBERG NAMED NHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY
Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg, who led all rookies with 13 points (5-8—13) in 13 games, has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for January.
Klingberg edged Ottawa Senators teammates Mark Stone (4-7—11 in 12 GP) and Mike Hoffman (6-2—8 in 12 GP), Winnipeg Jets goaltender Michael Hutchinson (5-3-0, 2.62 GAA, .912 SV%, 1 SO), Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette (5-4—9 in 12 GP), Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (4-5—9 in 11 GP), and San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson (7-1—8 in 12 GP) for the honor.
Klingberg, a fifth-round selection (131st overall) by the Stars in the 2010 NHL Draft, became the first rookie defenseman in franchise history to record four points in one game when he posted 2-2—4 in a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Jan. 31. He also notched a pair of game-winning goals, both against the Ottawa Senators: Jan. 13 in Dallas and Jan. 29 in Ottawa.
The 22-year-old Gothenburg, Sweden, native ranks second among rookie defensemen and sixth among all first-year skaters with 9-15—24 in 35 contests this season. He is the fourth rookie defenseman in Stars/North Stars history to register 20 or more points, following Brad Maxwell (18-29—47 in 1977-78), Shawn Chambers (5-19—24 in 1988-89) and Matt Niskanen (7-19—26 in 2007-08).
Klingberg joins Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (October), Nashville Predators center Filip Forsberg (November) and Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (December) as Rookie of the Month winners this season.
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* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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