Janne Kuokkanen Named AHL Rookie Of The Month For February

Author: Nicholas Niedzielski Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Director of Communications Nicholas Niedzielski joined the Checkers in the summer of 2014. A Texas native, he previously worked for the AHL's Texas Stars.

After a strong showing during February, Checkers forward Janne Kuokkanen has been named the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month.The 19-year-old forward racked up 12 points (3g, 9a) over 13 games during the month of February, tying for the lead among all AHL rookies over that span as well as matching Andrew Miller for the team lead. Kuokkanen recorded four different multi-point games during the month, including his first career two-goal game against Hartford on Feb. 13.Kuokkanen, a second-round pick by Carolina in 2016, ranks fourth on the Checkers in assists this season with 22 and is second among team rookies in scoring with 28 points in 41 games.This marks the first monthly award won by a Checkers player this season. Kuokkanen is the second player in franchise history to earn Rookie of the Month honors – joining Lucas Wallmark, who won the award for January of last season – and the fourth player to win any monthly award.