KINDL NAMED RED WINGS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BY DETROIT SPORTS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION

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…  Czech-Born Blue-Liner Appeared in 48 Games for Detroit in 2010-11 …

Detroit, MI… Red Wings defenseman Jakub Kindl has been named the team’s 2010-11 Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DSBA). Kindl skated in 48 games for the Central Division champions this past season, registering four points (2G-2A) in addition to 44 hits and 36 blocked shots.

A native of Sumperk, Czech Republic, Kindl was originally selected by the Red Wings in the opening round (19^th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The 6’3”, 210-lb. rearguard tallied 13G-76A-89P-225PIM in 237 games with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins following a standout junior career with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers.

Kindl, 24, represented the Czech Republic at both the 2006 and 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships and was a member of Team PlanetUSA at the 2009 AHL All-Star Game. His first career goal at the NHL level was recorded on January 20, 2011 during the second period of a 4-3 road victory over the St. Louis Blues (opposing goalie: Jaroslav Halak).

The DSBA Red Wings Rookie of the Year Award dates back to the 1948-49 NHL season.  Previous recipients of the award include current Detroit players Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Niklas Kronwall, Jiri Hudler, Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Ericsson.

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