Monday, January 16, 2012

Keith Aucoin on Record Setting Pace

A few weeks ago, as I was perusing the AHL.com site, I noticed that Keith Aucoin was leading the AHL in assists and points.  And not only leading...destroying the competition.

Which got me thinking...I wonder what the record for most assists in a season is...

It is 89...by former Bear George "Red" Sullivan in 1953-54.

Coiner is on pace to SHATTER that mark.  If Keith can keep up his current pace he would finish the season with 109 assists!  20 more than the previous record which has been held for almost 60 years.

Impressive. 

Which got me thinking...if he is going to have that many assists, how many points will he have?

Assuming he keeps up his current pace of 1.68 points per game he will finish the season with 126 points.

Is that a record?

Yes and no.

The AHL record for points in a season is 138 by Binghamton's (and onetime Bear) Don Biggs in 1992-93.

But, the Bears all-time record for points in a season is Tim Tookey, who had 124 in 1986-87.

So, as it stands now you are watching the player that could set a new record for points in a season by a Hershey Bear. 

And if the right pieces fall into place he could make a run at the AHL all time mark...he is currently on pace to fall just 12 points short.

There is another record he is approaching...remember back in 2008-09, Alexandre Giroux recorded a goal in 15 straight games...an AHL record...Coiner is approaching something similar. 

The record for most consecutive games with an assist is 17 (owned by two players actually).  Currently, Aucoin has an assist in 13* straight games, leaving him 4 short of tying the mark and 5 short of setting a new one.

What a season for #11!!

And what a career.  As of today, Keith Aucoin sits at #16 (top active player) on the AHL's All-Time Scoring list with 771 points in 10+ seasons.  Of the 15 players above him, only one has averaged more points per season (through 2010-11) than Aucoin.  That player....Bruce Boudreau. 

If Aucoin continues on his current pace this season and records the aforementioned 126 points, he would climb all the way to #7 on the All-Time list...one spot behind Mike Nykoluk. 

Bears fans...we are watching one of the greatest players in the storied history of the AHL.  Enjoy it.


*(No, the healthy scratch status from the other night did not ruin this run based on the information I can find. If you remember back in 08-09 Giroux actually missed games during his streak while on recall to Washington. And, the AHL's daily report stat sheet still lists Aucoin's streak as current.)