The leading scorer in the Canisius College program's history, Cory Conacher '11 of the Norfolk Admirals was awarded the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding rookie for the 2011-12 season, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league's 30 member cities.

Conacher is in his first full season playing professional hockey after wrapping up a successful four-year tenure at Canisius. In 72 games with Norfolk, Conacher has totaled 75 points, 35 goals and 40 assists, while leading the Admirals to the top record in the AHL. He currently ranks second in the league in points, goals and power-play tallies.

In March, Conacher became the second Griff to sign an NHL contract, inking a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Burlington, Ontario native was also named a second-team AHL All-Star this season and to the AHL All-Rookie Team.

Conacher set or matched 12 career, single-season and single-game records during his career at Canisius. The 2009-10 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year owns the program's standards of 147 points, 62 goals and 12 game-winning tallies. He also set the school's records with 53 points and 33 assists during his junior campaign, while breaking the goals mark with 23 in his senior year.

Conacher and the Admirals now turn their attention toward the playoffs. Norfolk, who has won its last 25 games, has clinched the top seed for the Calder Cup Playoffs, which are set to begin the week of April 16.