It's fair to say Lane Pederson's first season in Bakersfield has been a success. He's been a key component in helping the Condors make the playoffs for the fifth consecutive AHL campaign.
Pederson is second on the Condors with 52 total points, comprising of 22 goals and 30 assists. (Seth Griffith leads the team with 62 points as of Apr. 11.) The 30 assists and 52 total points are personal career highs, along with 11 power play goals, four shootout goals and a +9 rating.
Now, the 26-year-old can add an award to his impressive first season with the Edmonton Oilers organisation. The Condors announced on Thursday, that Pederson has been named their IOA/American Specialty Man of the Year.
The origins of the award
The Saskatchewan native is one of 32 AHL representatives who is a finalist for the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award. The annual honor is named after the late Yanick Dupré, who died during the summer in 1997 at 24 years of age after a 16-month battle with leukemia.
The award is linked to Dupré's character. Pederson specifically, was selected for his outstanding contributions to the local community and charitable organizations during this season.
As per Bakersfieldcondors.com, the center partnered with 107.9 KUZZ Radio during the holidays for their annual KUZZ Cares for Kids program. He put full commitment and effort into the program, got his Condors teammates involved, and provided gifts and experiences to a local family of eight.
Pederson was originally undrafted in 2016, but went on to sign for the Arizona Coyotes. He has also spent time with the San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets, prior to joining the Oilers organisation prior to this season on a two-year, two-way $1.55 million deal.
The Yanick Dupré Memorial Award winner will be announced by the AHL on May 5. The inaugural award was presented in 1997-98 and the Condors will be hoping Pederson becomes their first winner.