Lake Erie Monsters center T.J. Hensick has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Month for December, it was announced by the American Hockey League on Monday. He becomes the first player in the history of the Monsters franchise to receive the Player of the Month honor from the league. This is the second AHL award received by a Monsters player in the past week, as Hensick’s linemate Darren Haydar was named the league’s Player of the Week last Monday.

In the month of December, Hensick went on a tear, netting 23 points (4G, 19A) in 13 games. He recorded points in all but one of the 13 contests. Since his loan to the Monsters on November 26th from NHL parent club Colorado, Lake Erie has posted a 9-7-0-1 (7-5-0-1 in December) record. Prior to his arrival, the Monsters were 7-11-0-2. Most recently, Lake Erie has won three straight and eight of the last 10, during which time Hensick has posted 17 points (2G, 15A).

Hensick’s most notable games last month were from December 22nd – 27th, when the former University of Michigan standout recorded three consecutive three-assist games, all Monsters wins. The third-year player finished December with a six-game assist streak, which set a new Lake Erie franchise record. In 17 total games with the Monsters this season, Hensick has posted eight multi-point games.

A native of Lansing, Michigan, Hensick leads the Monsters with 21 assists and 10 power play assists and is second on the team with 25 points and 10 power play points, despite playing in less than half of the Monsters games so far this season. An AHL All-Star as a rookie in 2007-08, Hensick has totaled 23 goals and 63 assists for 86 points in 79 career AHL games, all with Lake Erie. He set NHL career highs with 17 assists, 21 points and 61 games played for the Avalanche a season ago.

Hensick and the Monsters return to action Tuesday, when they host the Milwaukee Admirals at 7:00 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena. Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (216) 420-0000, by visiting LakeErieMonsters.com or by visiting any Northern Ohio Discount Drug Mart.