Justin Hryckowian Named AHL Rookie of the Month

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Fresh off his NHL debut, Justin Hryckowian has another honor for the trophy case: he's the AHL's December Rookie of the Month.

The Texas forward rcked up 7-3=10 in the month with a plus-8 rating, totalling 26 points and a plus-17 on the season so far. We all knew he would be a reliable defensive option based on how he was deployed to end last season. Now, we're seeing his offensive side as well.

Hryckowian co-leads the AHL in points at the start of the calendar year and has returned from Dallas with a pair of home games this weekend to continue his scoring ways.

Here's the release:

The American Hockey League announced today that Texas Stars forward Justin Hryckowian has been named the league’s Rookie of the Month for December.

Hryckowian, 23, compiled 10 points (7-3=10) and a +8 rating during December, including two different two-goal games and points in seven of the 10 games he played for Texas. The rookie center also made his NHL debut Dec. 29 and played two games for Dallas. Hryckowian currently shares the AHL’s rookie lead with 12 goals and 26 points (12-14=26) in 27 games, while leading all first-years and ranking third league-wide with a +17 rating. He is the first Texas player to receive Rookie of the Month honors since Logan Stankoven (November 2023).

The L’lle-Bizard, Quebec native was originally undrafted and signed an entry-level contract with Dallas on March 19, 2024, following three seasons at Northeastern University, where he was captain in 2023-24 and was twice voted the Hockey East conference’s best defensive forward. He joined Texas at the end of last season, recording three points in 12 regular-season games and four points in seven contests during the Calder Cup Playoffs.