Gourde named NHL Rookie of Month for February

NEW YORK - Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde, who led all rookies with 5-11-16 in 14 games, has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for February.
Gourde edged New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (2-14-16 in 12 GP), Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (6-5-11 in 12 GP), New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (5-6-11 in 14 GP) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser (5 5-10 in 13 GP) for the honor.

Gourde registered at least one point in 12 of his 14 February appearances, highlighted by a seven-game streak to open the month (Feb. 1-13: 5-5-10). He also led all rookies with three power-play goals, six power-play points (3-3-6) and a +8 rating (tied).
Gourde - who was signed by the Lightning as an undrafted free agent in 2014 - has played in 64 contests this season, ranking among the top five rookies in plus/minus (t-1st; +26), game-winning goals (t-1st; 5), goals (t-2nd; 22), power-play goals (2nd; 7), points (3rd; 49) and assists (t-4th; 27).
The 26-year-old Saint-Narcisse, Que., native joins Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (October), Boeser (November and December) and Barzal (January) as a Rookie of the Month winner in 2017-18.

Yanni Gourde in February

Date, Opponent, G, A, PTS, Result
Feb. 1, at Calgary, 0, 2, 2, 7-4 W
Feb. 3, at Vancouver, 1, 0, 1,4-2 W
Feb. 5, at Edmonton, 1, 1, 2, 6-2, L
Feb. 8, VANCOUVER, 1, 1, 2, 5-2 W
Feb. 10, LOS ANGELES, 0, 1 ,1, 4-3 W
Feb. 12, at Toronto, 1, 0, 1, 4-3 L
Feb. 13, at Buffalo, 1, 0, 1, 5-3 L
Feb. 15, DETROIT, 0, 0, 0, 4-1 W
Feb. 17, NEW JERSEY, 0, 1, 1, 4-3 L
Feb. 20, at Washington, 0, 1, 1, 4-2 W
Feb. 22, at Ottawa, 0, 2, 2, 4-3 W
Feb. 24, at Montreal, 0, 0, 0, 4-3 SO W
Feb. 26, TORONTO, 0, 1, 1, 4-3 SO W
Feb. 28, BUFFALO, 0, 1, 1, 2-1 OT L
Totals, 5, 11, 16, 9-4-1