As is so often the case in the American Hockey League, the leading rookie scorer is rarely a highly touted prospect.

In 2013/14 and 2014/15 for example it was a pair of 6th round selections who led the way, in the shape of Curtis McKenzie and Connor Brown.The latter notched twenty goals and helped the Leafs toward their goal of making the playoffs this past season, whilst McKenzie accumulated sixteen points from 53 games in what was a difficult campaign for the Dallas Stars.

Undrafted Austin Czarnik was the AHL’s leading rookie during 15-16, as a member of the Providence Bruins. He’d split last season between the NHL and AHL, accruing thirteen points in 49 appearances for Boston.

Daniel O’Regan:
The 138th overall (5th round) selection in 2012, has continued the recent trend by leading all rookies last year with 58 points in 63 outings for San Jose Barracuda. An older prospect due to his extended time in American junior hockey and then the NCAA, O’Regan has wasted little time in making an impression in the San Jose organisation, including a debut NHL goal in his third and final appearance for the Sharks during 2016-17.

That goal was a tipped redirection on the power play and the centre man notched eleven times with the extra man for the Barracuda. He was certainly an important part of his team’s power play (23.8% for second best) during the regular season, with 25 points of which 21 were primary.

He was no slouch at even strength however, with 25 of his 29 points in regular play of the primary kind, including ten goals.O’Regan could also be called clutch if you believe in the term. On five occasions he scored the game winner, including twice in overtime. Born in Germany because his father Tom was finishing his own hockey career overseas, O’Regan will be hoping his career steers clear of Europe for the foreseeable future, as he looks to secure a roster spot with the Sharks this fall.

Mark Jankowski:
The Ontario native was a source of consternation amongst Calgary media and fans when he was selected 21st overall by the Flames management in the 2012 NHL entry draft.

Projected to be a top forty pick at best, the centreman’s selection meant Calgary had passed over Olli Maatta and Brady Skjei (albeit defensemen) to name but two.
Calgary were obviously looking for size and strength down the middle and they have that in Jankowski, currently listed at 6’4″ and 203 lbs.

A late bloomer physically (reportedly passed over in junior hockey due to his small stature) Jankowski was Stockton Heat’s leading scorer through the regular season during his rookie year. His 27 goals led all rookies, with seventeen scored during 5 vs. 5 play and his first professional hat-trick.

Used in all situations, the 22 year old notched seven power play markers, two short-handed tallies and an overtime winner. Of his 56 point total, 80% (45) were primary and the left-handed shot went on to produce at point per game pace through five playoff games. A debut game in the NHL was his only appearance for Calgary last year but Jankowski is expected to push hard for a spot on the 2017-18 roster.

Andrew Poturalski:
Undrafted Andrew Poturalski made an immediate impact for the Charlotte Checkers having taken the decision to opt out of college early.

He led the University of New Hampshire in scoring with 52 points in 37 games during the 2015-16 campaign (sophomore year). Named as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award,  Poturalski signed a two-year entry level deal with Carolina and on an ATO contract was able to dress on sixteen occasions toward the end of last season.

That head start provided a leg-up for the 23 year old to lead Charlotte in scoring, ahead of fellow rookie Lucas Wallmark. Proof of that was thirteen points in as many games to begin the season. The New York native would have been an ever present but for a call-up and making two appearances in the NHL.

With the Checkers owning the leagues worst power play last year, it’s little surprise that 65% of the rookies points were accrued at 5 vs. 5 play. He scored six of Charlotte’s 37 power plays goals, notched two game winners and on seven occasions opened the scoring for his team.

Evgeny Svechnikov:
The 19th overall selection in 2015, Svechnikov made his professional debut before the age of 17 when suiting up for KHL outfit AK Bars. Now 20 years of old, the Russian winger is easily one of Detroit’s top prospects after his first season in the American League.

After a slow start which saw him pick up a mere five points from the opening twenty games, Svechnikov adapted, found his feet and went on to produce at 0.87 PPG pace for the remainder of the season. That included a twelve game point streak which enabled the young man to eventually breach the fifty point mark by the end of the regular season. The exceptionally skilled forward notched twelve power play points including six goals but it was more encouraging that he was able to produce almost 60% of his overall tally during 5 vs. 5.
A further twelve points followed during Grand Rapids successful post-season campaign as Svechnikov showed little signs of slowing down.His two NHL games for Detroit failed to produce a point but he would score the shootout winner for the Red Wings on his debut.

The only slight concern is that he picked up 62 penalty minutes during his rookie season but virtually every young player has to learn to be smarter in the professional game.

Jake DeBrusk:
Boston’s first round selection in the 2015 draft (14th overall) ended the season as the second leading scorer the Providence Bruins. This despite a slow start to the year which saw the 20 year old accrue just four points in his opening fourteen games. His nineteen goal total was achieved despite a shooting percentage of just 8.9% and 35 of his 49 points were accumulated during 5 vs. 5 play.

The same number of points were also primary markers as the gifted left winger proved himself a catalyst to much of the Bruins AHL success this past year. A further six goals and nine points during the post-season showed the young man could adapt when the pressure is on and he could well make a case for seeing some time in the NHL during 2017-18.

Jack Roslovic and Kyle Connor:
The Winnipeg Jets two first round selections in the 2015 NHL entry draft both made hay during their rookie seasons. Jack Roslovic led Manitoba in scoring with 48 points from 65 games. A catalyst for all that was good during an otherwise awful season from the Moose, the 20 year old had a hand in 43% of all power play goals and netted three game winners. The Ohio native was given an NHL debut against his hometown Columbus Blue Jackets and it won’t be long until the centreman is given further opportunities.

Second in scoring for Manitoba was dynamic winger Kyle Connor. In just 52 outings for the Moose, the Michigan native helped himself to 44 points which included a team leading 25 goals. Sixteen of his markers were accrued at even strength and Winnipeg gave the 17th overall selection twenty games in the NHL last year. Five points in twenty games for the Jets isn’t an outstanding return but the 20 year old more than held his own and is likely to make an even bigger impact in 2017-18.

Christian Fischer:
The Chicago native led Tucson in goals and was second in points during his rookie season. Almost 60% of Fischer’s 47 point total were accrued during even strength and his dominant play earned him an All-Star selection.
One of the very last cuts to be made at the beginning of last season, Fischer certainly made his case to be a call-up when scoring a hat-trick in the midst of a seven game point streak. He was used in every situation for Tucson, notching five power play markers and one short-handed goal respectively.
Once given the opportunity in the NHL, the right winger tallied three times in seven outings for Arizona.

Vince Dunn: 
Defenseman Vince Dunn was the leading rookie scorer from the blue line and 13th overall amongst rookie skaters. The Ontario native helped himself to thirteen goals and 31 of his 45 point tally were of the primary type. A St. Louis Blues draft selection (56th overall in 2015), Dunn went on to produce a further six points through Chicago’s playoff campaign but whether he’ll garner the same ice-time with the Wolves next year is up for debate, with Vegas now calling the shots in Chicago.

The 20 year old came to prominence for the wrong reason last season after an incident during a game against Iowa Wild. Dunn and Wild forward Kurtis Gabriel came to blows on the ice and both were ejected for their troubles. The incident failed to end there however as Gabriel taunted and jabbed at Dunn as the pair headed down the tunnel despite the presence of security. Dunn responded with single punch which cleaned up Gabriel, and it was the latter who ended up with the supplemental punishment for his actions leading up to the final blow.

Devon Toews:
Toews ended the 2016-17 campaign with as many points at Vince Dunn, but forty of his points were assists and he led all rookies in that respect.An older prospect now 23 years of age, the defenseman was named to the AHL all-rookie team and won fastest skater at the AHL All-Star Classic.
Drafted 108th overall back in 2014 by the New York Islanders, the BC native proved himself an excellent set-up man on the power play and ended the season as Bridgeport’s third highest scorer.

If the Islanders weren’t stacked on the blue line then the left-handed shot would be a strong candidate to make the team at camp. If trade’s or injuries occur, then his short tenure in the AHL might be over.

David Rittich:
The Czech goaltender was one of the biggest surprises between the pipes this past season. Despite having shown rather erratic form whilst playing in his native country, Calgary signed the undrafted goaltender as cover for their affiliate in Stockton.
Rittich proceeded to post a 15-11-4 record including five shutouts and an 0.924 save percentage.

Both his GAA (2.27) and SV% were 2nd best among rookie goalies, and his shutouts were tied for most. The 25 year old made his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks in the third period of the Calgary Flames final regular season game of the year – making nine saves on ten shots.
Rittich is now being talked about as having NHL potential but he’ll need to back up the potential shown during his first season in North America.