Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto, who led all rookies with six goals in eight games (6-1—7) and topped the entire League with a 42.9 shooting percentage (6 G/14 S), has been named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for October.
Pinto played in the USPHL 16U and 18U leagues for the South Kent Selects Academy between 2016-18, winning league championships at each level over the two years.
Pinto edged Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson (4-2-0, 1.69 GAA, .943 SV%, 2 SO), Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers (4-4—8 in 10 GP), Minnesota Wild defenseman Calen Addison (0-7—7 in 9 GP), Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (3-3—6 in 9 GP) and Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti (3-3—6 in 9 GP) for the honor.
Pinto scored in five straight games from Oct. 15-24 (5-1—6) to set a franchise rookie record for longest goal streak and become the first rookie from any team with as long of a run since eventual Calder Memorial Trophy winner Kirill Kaprizov from April 17-24, 2021 (6-0—6 in 5 GP w/ MIN). Two of Pinto’s five goals during his streak stood as game-winners: Oct. 20 vs. WSH and Oct. 24 vs. DAL.
Overall, Pinto averaged 0.75 goals per game during the month (6 G in 8 GP). Only one rookie since 1993-94 has posted a better such rate in the month of October: Elias Pettersson – another Calder Trophy winner – who averaged 0.88 goals per game in October 2018 (7 G in 8 GP w/ VAN).
The 21-year-old Pinto, who was selected in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, has collected 7-8—15 in 25 career NHL games. He is the first Senators player to earn “Rookie of the Month” honors since teammate Tim Stützle in February 2021.
