PRINCETON, N.J. - Former Mississippi and current Montreal Canadiens right wing Michael Ryder and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Ryan Malone were edged by New York Islanders right wing Trent Hunter for the National Hockey League Rookie of the Month in December.
Ryder scored two goals and had nine points in 15 games while Malone scored three goals and eight points in 15 games for the Penguins. Hunter led all rookies in December in goals (6), game-winning goals (3), points (12) and plus/minus (+8) as the Islanders had their winningest December in 20 years (10-4-0-1).
Ryder, who made his NHL Debut on October 9, entered the week leading all NHL rookies with 17 assists and 26 points in 40 games. The 23-year-old is tied for third among rookies with three power-play goals and ranks fourth with nine goals.
Selected in the eighth round (216th overall) by Montreal in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Ryder scored 14 goals and 27 points in 20 games with Mississippi in 2001-02. The 6-1 and 195-pound Ryder was chosen to represent Mississippi in the 2002 ECHL All-Star Game, but was unable to participate after being called up to Quebec of the American Hockey League.
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