HabsWorld.net -- 

Habsworld.net has named Alex Perezhogin March prospect of the month for his impressive all round play during the month. The former 1^st round pick of the 2001, taken 25^th overall, with the Habs getting the Washington Capitals 1^st round pick in exchange for our 2^nd round pick, Trevor Linden and Danius Zubrus. After spending the last two years in the Russian Super League, Perezhogin signed a contract over the summer, and came to North America to play outside the Russian system for the first time in his young life.

 

In Hamilton, Perezhogin found some difficulty with the lack of communication and adapting to the smaller ice surface. But in time he was able to find his confidence and improve his game on a consistent basis. In the 14 games Alex appeared in during the month of March, he picked up 13 points, including his first ever hat trick in North America. 14 games, 7 goals, 6 assists, which helped his team secure a playoff spot by going 8-5-1 in the month of March. So far on the season, Perezhogin now has 20 goals, 26 assists, for 46 points, a +16, 52 penalty minutes and an impressive 186 shots on goal in 75 games played, which speak to his abilities to not only adapt to the more physical AHL, but also that he’s been able to stay healthy for mostly the entire season.

 

Not far behind but very close to beating out Perezhogin for prospect of the month was teammate Chris Higgins. Higgins was also very successful in helping his team win in the month of March, with 7 goals and 4 assists in 14 games played. Both Higgins and Perezhogin were held off the scoresheet in five of the 14 games, but both scored some big goals when it counted most.

 

Also considered for the award were Joni Puurula, Maxime Lapierre, and Tomas Plekanec who all had a solid month as well.