SEAN MALONE'S TOP THREE MOMENTS FROM THE 2021-22 SEASON
Jun 26, 2022By Suzie Cool
Rochester Americans forward Sean Malone has spent time in the Flower City over the course of four seasons. This year, Malone surpassed the 200-game mark in an Amerks sweater, had his best offensive year yet and was dubbed one of the alternate captains at the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign.
With all of that, there’s even more to what Malone strung together in the 2021-22 season, so let’s take a look back at some of his top moments.
HAVE YOURSELF A CAREER YEAR
Sean Malone was a consistent spark-plug to our offense.
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) June 26, 2022
All season long. pic.twitter.com/H3b6iU8jfV
Despite an injury-riddled season limiting Malone to just 39 games during the regular season, the fifth-year pro still managed to have his best year offensively.
Malone went on to tally 20 goals and 37 points, both career-highs, while his 17 assists were just one away from equaling a season’s best. More impressively, he surpassed the 30-point mark in 30 fewer games from 2019-20. This season was the first time Malone has reached the 20-goal mark in his pro career.
Additionally, from Dec. 18 to Apr. 13, Malone rode a career-long 11-game point streak -- the longest of any Amerk this past season -- totaling nine goals and five assists for 14 points over that span. Malone became the first Amerk to produce a point in 11 straight games since forward Milan Bartovic tallied an 11-game point streak with 10 goals and five assists from Dec. 27 to Feb. 6 during the 2003-04 campaign.
Have yourself a year, Malone.
WATCH: SEAN MALONE YEAR-END INTERVIEW
PLAYING UNDER A STAFF THAT BREEDS CONFIDENCE
All year Malone emphasized playing under a staff that believed in him. That’s exactly what Amerks head coach Seth Appert and staff did, while helping Malone reach the next level offensively.
From Malone’s perspective, the staff in Rochester does a really good job at communicating with their players while pushing them in a constructive manner.
“I think everyone would tell you that, it helps to have coaches that played the game and are great communicators. You know, you could go down the line of Apps, Webby and Pecs, like those guys are such good communicators and they do a really good job of, you know, when you're in a slump or you're not playing well pushing you in a constructive way and really helping you build on your game”
Malone then went on to finish with, “I can't say enough about those guys and the job they did this year with helping our players advance their games this season.”
SURPASSING GAME 200 AS AN AMERK
Back on April 9 against the Belleville Senators, Malone appeared in his 200th game as an Amerk and reached the century mark for points with his third-period goal against the Springfield Thunderbirds on April 19.
Malone is the 59th forward in team history to skate in 200 or more games in an Amerks sweater. In 208 regular season games, Malone has registered 48 goals and 54 assists for 102 points since the start of the 2017-18 season in the Flower City.
“I think if you look back at the playoffs, just the support from the city and the incredible atmosphere. I mean, even back home in Buffalo now people have come up to me saying like, ‘those games were incredible, the energy in the building, it was so exciting’,” explained Malone when asked why he wants to continue to thrive in the Flower City.
Funny enough, Malone didn’t even know he reached the 200-game mark with Rochester when asked. However, the Amerks forward is just happy to be a part of an incredible city.
“It’s just a ton of fun to be a part of and you know that city is incredible, and I've had a lot of good memories here. So, I’m looking forward to next year.”