Carhartt's Sanja Zarubica (right) and Red Wings advertising sales executive Doug Murphy (left) present Marian Hossa with the season's first Hardest Working Player of the Month Award.

DETROIT — It didn’t take long for Red Wings newcomer Marian Hossa to make an impression on his new teammates and coaches.

The perennial all-star forward, who signed a one-year deal with the Stanley Cup champs in July, led the Red Wings to a 7-2-2 record in October with six goals and nine assists, including seven points on the power play. 

The five-time All-Star from Slovakia finished an amazing October with a plus-7 and his first game-winning goal with his new team, lifting Detroit over the New York Rangers, 5-4, in overtime on Oct. 18. For his remarkable efforts, Hossa earned the season’s first Hardest Working Player of the Month Award, presented by Carhartt.

Hossa received his award from Carhartt sponsorship and event specialist Sanja Zarubica during a pre-game ceremony prior to the start of the Wings-Devils game at Joe Louis Arena on November 8.

During the regular-season, Carhartt will present the monthly award to the hardest working Red Wings’ player, along with Carhartt merchandise. The award, in its second season, recognizes the player for his hard work and individual dedication to commitment necessary to excel on the ice. The Red Wings’ coaching staff and front office personnel select the monthly recipients.

Hossa finished October on a nine-game point streak, which came to an end in the Wings’ 3-2 win at Vancouver on Nov. 2. His first goal of the season was a milestone for Hossa, who entered the new campaign with 299 career goals.

Hossa, who faced Detroit in last spring’s Stanley Cup finals with the Pittsburgh Penguins, joined the Red Wings in July, signing a one-year free agency contract to play with the defending league champions.

The NHL recognized Hossa’s early efforts, too, awarding him the Third Star of the Week, ending Oct. 26. During the seven-day period, Hossa was tied for second among all scorers with six points (three goals, three assists) in three games as the Red Wings recorded three straight wins.

Hossa began the week by recording one assist at Louis (Oct 22); notched two goals and one assist against Atlanta (Oct. 24); and registered a one goal and an assist -- as well as the shootout winner -- at Chicago (Oct. 25).

In eight games, Hossa is tied for sixth in league scoring with 11 points.

Hossa is the eighth Red Wing so honored by Carhartt since last season, joining past recipients Henrik Zetterberg (October 2007), Chris Osgood (November), Pavel Datsyuk (December), Dan Cleary (January), trainers Piet VanZant and Russ Baumann (February) and Johan Franzen (March).

For over 115 years, Carhartt has manufactured premium workwear known for exceptional durability, comfort, quality of construction, and fit that you can feel in the fabrics and see in the performance. Established in 1889, Carhartt is family-owned and operated with over 4,000 employees dedicated to providing Best-in-Class apparel for the active worker.

Carhartt and the Red Wings would like to recognize Marian Hossa for his outstanding work and success during October and wish him continued success throughout the 2008-09 season.