St. Louis Post-Dispatch - June 18, 1990

Brind'Amour Named to All-Rookie Team

by Dave Luecking

lues winger Rod Brind'Amour wasn't among the finalists for the Calder Trophy, which goes to the National Hockey League rookie of the year, but he received a nice consolation prize Sunday.

Brind'Amour was among six players chosen for the NHL All-Rookie team by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. ''That's good news,'' Blues general manager Ron Caron said. ''That's a good award.''

Brind'Amour, 19, is only the second Blues rookie to be so honored. The other was Brian Benning, in 1987.

Brind'Amour, the Blues first-round pick (ninth overall in 1988, had 26 goals and 35 assists for 61 points last season, the most by a Blues rookie since Jorgen Pettersson set a team record with 73 in 1980-81. He finished sixth in rookie scoring, tied for fourth in goals and tied for second with 10 power-play goals. He was second on the Blues with a plus-minus rating of plus 23.

Brind'Amour, a natural center, played most of the season out of position, at left wing. With seven centers on the roster, barring a trade, Brind'Amour probably will remain at left wing next season. ''That's up to the coach, but we're not overly strong on the left side,'' Caron said. ''If we still have a crowd at center, he'll play left wing.'' But playing left wing earned Brind'Amour the spot on the All-Rookie team. Calder Trophy winner Sergei Makarov made it at right wing, and Calder finalist Mike Modano of Minnesota was the center. Interestingly, the other Calder finalist, Chicago center Jeremy Roenick, was not on the All-Rookie team. Caron said the rivalry between Brind'Amour, Roenick and Modano could continue for years. ''There's so little difference between those young ones,'' Caron said.

Edmonton defenseman Geoff Smith, Hartford defenseman Brad Shaw and Winnipeg goalie Bob Essensa also made the team. Brind'Amour was vacationing and could not be reached for comment.

He'll be starting summer school at Michigan State University next week.