WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The American Hockey League announced today that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Daniel Sprong has been selected to the 2017-18 All-Rookie Team. The AHL All-Rookie Team was voted on by coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 member cities.
Sprong became the eighth Penguin ever named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team, joining Casey DeSmith (2016-17), Jake Guentzel (2016-17), Matt Murray (2014-15), Alex Goligoski (2007-08), John Curry (2007-08), Michel Ouellet (2003-04) and Toby Petersen (2000-01).
Since starting the 2017-18 campaign with seven goals and 10 points in his first five games, Sprong has put together a terrific rookie campaign with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, recording 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points in 59 contests with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. The 21-year-old currently leads all league rookies in goals, and he ranks second in points, shots (181), power play goals (10) and game-winning goals (6). His 57 points also place him ninth in the overall AHL scoring standings.
The Amsterdam, Netherlands native was a second round pick (46th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sprong saw a stint in the NHL earlier this season with Pittsburgh, during which he registered two goals and an assist across eight games.
The full 2017-18 AHL All-Rookie Team is as follows:
Goaltender – Ville Husso, San Antonio Rampage (37GP, 15-13-5, 2.32 GAA, .926sv%, 4 SO).
Defense – Filip Hronek, Grand Rapids Griffins (62GP, 9G-24A, 33PTS, +21, 4 GWG)
Defense – Sami Niku, Manitoba Moose (71GP, 15G-37A, 52PTS, +18, 9 PPG)
Forward – Mason Appleton, Manitoba Moose (71GP, 21G-40A, 61PTS, +13, 7 PPG, 6 GWG)
Forward – Daniel Sprong, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (59GP, 28G-29A, 57PTS, +2, 10 PPG, 6 GWG)
Forward – Dylan Strome, Tucson Roadrunners (47GP, 22G-28A, 50PTS, +8, 9 PPG, 3 GWG)
Each player will receive a custom-designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the All-Rookie Team.
The Penguins’ next game is Friday, Apr. 6 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers with a chance to secure a berth in the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs. Puck drop between the Penguins and Sound Tigers is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
Individual tickets for the final two home games of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s 19th season of hockey are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, online at TicketMaster.com, or by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
"*" indicates required fields
By providing a telephone number, e-mail address, and submitting this form, you are consenting to be contacted by e-mail & SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging. See our privacy policy for more information.