Rookie left-shot defenseman, Olen Zellweger, was recalled prior to Friday night's game vs the New Jersey Devils after earning AHL Rookie of the Month Honors.
Late Friday morning, it was announced defenseman Olen Zellweger (20) was the AHL’s Rookie of the Month for February. Since Zellweger was reassigned to the San Diego Gulls on Jan. 31 when the Ducks went on their All-Star break, he tallied four goals and eight assists in ten games.
Zellweger was first called up to the NHL on Jan. 23 and played his first four career NHL games where he managed his first NHL point (an assist) and averaged 16:19. In those four games, he showed flashes of what he can contribute to a lineup at the highest level. His skating ability and activity over the entire ice surface causes a contagious, kinetic energy between him and his teammates that creates chances off the rush or cycle and is extremely difficult to defend.
Before his call-up in late January, Zellweger earned himself an AHL All-Star appearance by scoring 25 points in 34 AHL games. Since his reassignment, he seemed to have taken the lessons learned in his brief NHL stint and elevated his game to a new level in the AHL. He was simply dominant in every zone and controlled play with ease.
Hours after the AHL awarded him Rookie of the Month honors, he was spotted at the Anaheim Ducks practice facility taking in the New Jersey Devils morning skate before the two teams were to face off at Honda Center later that night. The team then announced his recall from the AHL and reintroduction to the Ducks roster.
Zellweger was inserted into the Ducks lineup for their Friday night matchup against the New Jersey Devils at Honda Center. The day before, the team traded RHD Ilya Lyubushkin to the Toronto Maple Leafs before the team’s game against the San Jose Sharks. In that game, Cam Fowler suffered a facial laceration, was forced to exit, and was listed as day-to-day.
An NHL roster spot was available for the AHL’s Rookie of the Month.
In Friday’s game, Zellweger played 17:27 and flashed some of what made him so dominant at the AHL level this season. In particular, his ability to escape forechecking pressure and start rushes up ice from the back end was showcased. He was playing his offhand side and was able to pull pucks off the wall to the middle of the ice, which opened space and created outlet options for him to move the puck.
With his competitive nature, it’s safe to presume Zellweger will do whatever it takes to ensure he’s played his last game at the AHL level.