Kenny Agostino named AHL MVP with NHL free agency looming

Kenny Agostino has an impressive new qualification to add to his hockey resume in advance of NHL free agency, as the the 24-year-old has been awarded the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL's most valuable player this season.

Agostino has appeared in 65 games for the Chicago Wolves, recording 24 goals and 59 assists to lead the league in total points with 83, 16 clear of the next most productive player.

"He has put up the numbers with the scoring, but he’s more than that," said Wolves head coach Craig Berube. "Night-in and night-out, look at the effort that he puts in. Then there’s his work ethic and just how competitive of a guy he is."

Originally drafted by Pittsburgh out of Yale University in 2010, Agostino was sent to Calgary as part of the Jarome Iginla deal in 2013. He only squeaked into the lineup on 10 occasions with the Flames, and signed with the St. Louis Blues - the Wolves' parent club - on a one-year, two-way deal last summer.

Agostino did score a goal and add two assists in seven appearances with the Blues, but barring a postseason call up, he's set to choose his next NHL destination as an unrestricted free agent beginning July 1.

Based on his play at the AHL level and the MVP honors, he'll likely command greater attention this time around.