van Riemsdyk Named Rookie of the Month

NEW YORK (December 2, 2009) – Philadelphia Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk, who tallied nine points (four goals, five assists) in 12 games and led all NHL players with four game-winning goals, has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for November.

Van Riemsdyk edged New York Islanders center John Tavares (6-5–11 in 14 games), New Jersey Devils right wing Nicklas Bergfors (4-6–10 in 13 games), Atlanta Thrashers left wing Evander Kane (5-3–8 in 13 games), Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers (1-7–8 in 13 games), Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask (5-1-1, 1.80 goals-against average) and Washington Capitals goaltender Semyon Varlamov (5-1-2, 1.85 goals-against average) for the award.

The 20-year-old Middletown, New Jersey native began the month by recording a season-high three assists in a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Nov. 2 and went on to score the game-winning goal in four of the Flyers’ next six games: Nov. 6 at Buffalo, Nov. 12 vs. Ottawa, Nov. 16 vs. New Jersey and Nov. 18 at Los Angeles.

Van Riemsdyk was the second player selected in the 2007 Entry Draft and signed with the Flyers on April 1, 2009 after two standout seasons at the University of New Hampshire. He leads all rookies in game-winning goals (four), is tied for the lead in assists (13), ranks second in points (19) and is third in plus-minus (+7).