Islanders’ Barzal Named NHL Rookie of the Month for January

NEW YORK – New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal, who led all rookies with 12 assists and 15 points in 13 games (3-12—15), has been named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for January.

Barzal edged Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde (6-2—8 in 12 GP), Islanders teammate Ryan Pulock (2-6—8 in 13 GP), Pittsburgh Penguins center Dominik Simon (4-3—7 in 11 GP) and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Alex DeBrincat (4-3—7 in 12 GP) for the honor.

Barzal registered at least one point in eight of his 13 January appearances, highlighted by 2-3—5 Jan. 13 at NYR – his second five-point performance of the season (also Nov. 5 vs. COL: 0-5—5). Only four other rookies have posted multiple five-point games within a single season during the League’s expansion era (since 1967-68); Barzal became the first to do so since 1981-82 (Marian Stastny).

The 16th overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, Barzal paces all rookies with 35 assists and 51 points through 52 contests this season. The 20-year-old Coquitlam, B.C., native joins Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (October) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser (November and December) as a Rookie of the Month winner in 2017-18.