By Kevin Kurz
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

The Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League announced today that defenseman Dennis Seidenberg has been named the Toyota Phantoms Player of the Month for April.

In nine games last month, Seidenberg tied for the team lead in points with 11, led the Phantoms in assists with eight and his +4 rating was also tied for the club lead as Philadelphia secured second place in the East Division and home-ice advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs.

"Dennis has been a good player all along, but in the past six weeks he has really stepped up," said Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "He is a force at both ends of the ice and has matured and elevated his game."

The 23-year-old Villingen, Germany native finished the regular season with 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points and 47 penalty minutes in 79 games with the team, and his +18 ranked him third on the team in that category. Seidenberg was awarded the Barry Ashbee Award as the Phantoms' top defenseman at the end of the season.

The Toyota Phantoms Player of the Month award is in its second season, as a Phantoms player will be honored each month through the end of the regular season for his contributions on the ice. Tony Voce was the winner for the month of October; November's winner was Antero Niittymaki; Patrick Sharp won the award for December; Randy Jones was honored in January, R.J. Umberger was the winner for February and Jon Sim was March's recipient.