The Boston Bruins season is over, but the Providence Bruins are heading to the postseason in an attempt to win the Calder Cup. The Providence Bruins were recently strengthened by having four Boston Bruins head down to Providence to help stack the deck for them. Among them is NHL rookie Frank Vatrano. The American Hockey League announced yesterday that Vatrano was named co-winner of the 2015-16 Dudley Garrett Memorial Award.
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The Dudley Garrett Award goes to the best rookie in the AHL. Vatrano shares the honor with San Antonio Rampage forward Mikko Rantanen (24 goals, 36 assists). The former UMass student has certainly gone on a tear in his first season with Providence. He’s put up a league-leading 34 goals in 34 games, making him the fourth AHL player ever to average a goal per game in a 30-goal season. (And now he’s back in Providence looking to bring some hardware home to the Bruins family.)
The 22-year-old forward had a 51 point season overall (averaging out to a 1.5 points per game average, the best in the league). He also finished the regular season with three AHL and one NHL hat tricks. He also set a new AHL record last month by having three unassisted goals in a game. (Playing against Portland on March 6.)
Vatrano was so well-regarded by the Bruins organization that they called him up to play in the NHL. Overall, Vatrano played 39 games with Boston, earning 11 points(eight goals). He was further honored by the AHL by selecting him as a First-Team AHL All-Star last week.
Vatrano has been one of the purely pleasant surprises for the Boston Bruins this year. He will likely earn a spot on the roster next season. He’s a dedicated young player that doesn’t come with the baggage and immaturity other players have brought to the TD Garden. While it may be a little too early to make this prediction, the Boston Bruins (if they don’t mess this up) could have another long-term, career-player on their hands.