Caps' Neuvirth named October Rookie of the Month

NEW YORK -- Washington Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth, who posted a 7-3-0 record with a 2.15 goals-against average, .926 save percentage and one shutout, has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for October.

Neuvirth edged Capitals defenseman John Carlson (1-5--6 in 11 games), Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle (4-4--8 in nine games), Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mark Letestu (4-3--7 in 12 games), Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner (3-4--7 in 10 games) and Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (0-6--6 in 11 games) for the award.

Neuvirth, at 22, became the youngest Capital goaltender to start a season opener since Jim Carey, who was two months younger when he started the first game of the 1996-97 season. Neuvirth appeared in each of Washington's 11 games in October and shared the NHL lead with seven victories. He turned aside 37 of 39 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory at Nashville Oct. 16 and posted his first career NHL shutout with a 29-save performance in a 3-0 victory at Carolina Oct. 27.

Claimed by the Capitals in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2006 Entry Draft -- 11 picks after the club nabbed fellow 22-year-old netminder Semyon Varlamov -- the Czech Republic native backstopped the OHL Plymouth Whalers to a berth in the Memorial Cup in 2006-07, his first season in North America. He starred for the AHL Hershey Bears in each of the past two seasons, helping the club capture back-to-back Calder Cup championships.


Michal Neuvirth in October

Date	Opponent	Mins.	Shots	GA	Result
Oct. 8	at Atlanta	59	31	4	4-2 loss
Oct. 9	NEW JERSEY	60	33	2	7-2 win
Oct. 11	OTTAWA	64	31	2	3-2 win (OT)
Oct. 13	NY ISLANDERS	60	24	1	2-1 win
Oct. 16	at Nashville	62	39	2	3-2 win (OT)
Oct. 19	BOSTON	13	7	2	3-1 loss
Oct. 21	at Boston	1	0	0	4-1 loss (no decision)
Oct. 23	ATLANTA	62	32	3	4-3 win (OT)
Oct. 27	at Carolina	60	29	0	3-0 win
Oct. 28	at Minnesota	59	17	2	2-1 loss
Oct. 30	at Calgary	60	29	2	7-2 win

  

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