BY: Jason Chaimovich, AHL
TEXAS STARS’ RILEY DAMIANI VOTED WINNER OF DUDLEY (RED) GARRETT AWARD AS AHL’S OUTSTANDING ROOKIE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Texas Stars forward Riley Damiani has been voted the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie for the 2020-21 season.
The award was voted on by coaches, players, and media members in each of the league’s 28 active cities.
Damiani, who earned spots on the AHL All-Rookie Team and the Central Division All-Star Team for 2020-21, led all AHL rookies in scoring and tied for third in the overall scoring race with 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 36 games for Texas. He notched two goals and an assist for the Stars on opening night and was named the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for March after registering 15 points in 10 games, including a streak of five consecutive multiple-point outings. Damiani finished his rookie season with an eight-game scoring streak.
A fifth-round selection by Dallas in the 2018 NHL Draft, Damiani turned pro after four seasons with Kitchener in the Ontario Hockey League. The 21-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., served as captain of his junior club and was the team’s leading scorer in 2019-20. He signed an entry-level NHL contract with the Stars on April 1, 2019.
