Semin, Aucoin Claim Top October Honors

Per the team:

ARLINGTON, Va., – Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Semin, who led the NHL with 16 points in October, has been named the league’s First Star of the Month, the NHL announced today.

In addition, Washington prospect Keith Aucoin of the Hershey Bears was named the American Hockey League’s Player of the Month for October, giving the Capitals organization a sweep of those awards for North America’s top two professional hockey leagues.

Semin’s 16 points in nine games included eight goals and a +7 rating as he recorded points in eight of nine games and goals in six of nine. He matched Dale Hunter (one goal, 15 assists in 1991-92) for the most points by a Capital in the first nine games of a season.

Semin becomes the sixth Capital to be named the NHL’s Player of the Month or First Star of the Month since the awards were first presented in 1980-81. Alex Ovechkin has won the awards three times (Jan. 2006, Jan. 2008 and March 2008).

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and Nashville defenseman Shea Weber were the NHL’s second and third stars for the month of October, respectively.

Della Rovere Named OHL Player Of The Week

Close on the heels of Joel Broda being named CHL Player of the Week, fellow Caps prospect Stefan Della Rovere has been named OHL Player of the Week:

"The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Stefan Della Rovere of the Barrie Colts is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 5 after scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in two games. Della Rovere also finished the week with a plus-2 plus-minus rating.

Della Rovere put the Colts on the scoreboard early Thursday night with a power play goal in a 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He would later add an assist that tied the game early in the third period.

On Saturday night, Della Rovere exploded for three goals and two assists in a 7-2 home win over the top ranked Windsor Spitfires. His first career OHL hat-trick included a first period goal to open the scoring, a second period power play insurance marker, and a late third period shorthanded tally. Della Rovere was named the first star of the game.

Della Rovere, an 18-year-old from Maple, ON is in his third OHL season with the Colts. Prior to this season, Della Rovere was named team captain of the Barrie Colts. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals."