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Avs’ Rantanen, Bruins’ Vatrano split AHL outstanding rookie award

Mikko Rantanen, Tim Jackman

Mikko Rantanen, Tim Jackman

AP

Colorado and Boston had their season end on down notes -- both missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year -- but each club received some positive news on Thursday, as Mikko Rantanen and Frank Vatrano shared the AHL’s outstanding rookie award.

More, from the AHL:

Rantanen has had a remarkable 2015-16 season despite being one of the youngest players in the AHL. The 10th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Rantanen leads all AHL rookies in scoring and is tied for sixth overall with 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) for San Antonio, recording at least one point in 42 of his 51 AHL games.

Vatrano has also had a historic first season as a professional, highlighted by his league-leading 34 goals in 34 games for Providence. Bidding to become just the fourth AHL player ever to average a goal a game in a 30-goal season, Vatrano has added 17 assists to give him 51 points, good for a league-best 1.50 points per contest, and he has recorded three hat tricks on the year, including tying an AHL record with three unassisted goals in a single game on Mar. 6 vs. Portland.

Rantanen, 19, also got a taste of NHL life this season, appearing in nine games -- including a few down the stretch, when the Avs were fighting for their playoff lives (and Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon were out injured). All told, the future looks pretty bright.

Vatrano, 22, seems to have a bright future as well. He had an even bigger role in Boston this year than Rantanen did in Colorado -- 39 games -- and acquitted himself well offensively, with eight goals and 11 points.