Kochetkov edged Arizona Coyotes left wing Matias Maccelli (2-7-9 in 12 GP), Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (2-7-9 in 14 GP), Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (5-3-8 in 15 GP), Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (6-4-1, 2.64 GAA, .921 SV%) and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (6-2-0, 3.12 GAA, .908 SV%) for the honor.
Kochetkov became the first rookie goaltender in Hurricanes/Whalers history to earn seven or more regular-season wins in a calendar month, surpassing the previous franchise high of six set by Alex Nedeljkovic in March 2021 (6-1-1 in 8 GP).
Kochetkov yielded two or fewer goals in seven of his eight outings, highlighted by consecutive shutouts Dec. 10 at NYI (16 SV) and Dec. 13 at DET (27 SV). He finished December among the top netminders (rookie or veteran, minimum: 5 GP) in goals-against average (1st), shutouts (t-1st) and save percentage (3rd).
The 23-year-old Kochetkov, a second-round pick (36th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, has compiled a 10-1-4 record through 15 total contests this season, aided by an active 10-game point streak dating to Nov. 25 (8-0-2). Only 12 other rookie goaltenders in NHL history have earned points in at least 14 of their first 15 decisions of a campaign, a feat last achieved by Jordan Binnington in 2018-19 (13 1 1 w/ STL).
Kochetkov, who ranks among the 2022-23 leaders (rookie or veteran) in shutouts (t-1st; 3), goals-against average (2nd; 1.94) and save percentage (2nd; .928), is the first Hurricanes player to win "Rookie of the Month" honors since Nedeljkovic in March 2021. He joins Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (October) and Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson (November) as a recipient this season.
