SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Manchester Monarchs goaltender Jonathan Bernier has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 31, 2010. Bernier stopped 85 of 87 shots in three appearances, finishing the week with consecutive shutouts.
The first-place Monarchs hit the road for three games against Atlantic Division foes last week, beginning with a Tuesday visit to Portland. Bernier stopped 33 of 35 shots to help Manchester earn a point in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Pirates. On Friday, Bernier made 34 saves in a 2-0 win in Providence, and he extended his shutout streak to 148:34 with his league-leading sixth blanking of the season on Saturday, a 20-save effort in a 2-0 win at Hartford.
In recognition of his achievement, Bernier will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Monarchs home game.
A second-year pro from Laval, Que., Bernier is 21-11-5 in 38 appearances for Manchester this season. He ranks third in the AHL in goals-against average (1.90), second in save percentage (.942), third in wins and first in shutouts (6), minutes played (2,244), saves (1,147) and shots faced (1,218). The 21-year-old Bernier, a first-round draft pick (11th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in 2006, represented the Monarchs as the Canadian team’s starting goaltender at last month’s 2010 AHL All-Star Classic.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Week include Adirondack left wing Patrick Maroon, Albany center Nick Dodge, Binghamton right wing Ryan Keller, Bridgeport goaltender Scott Munroe, Chicago left wing Brett Sterling, Hamilton goaltender Curtis Sanford, Hershey center Keith Aucoin, Houston right wing Jon DiSalvatore, Lake Erie center Philippe Dupuis, Lowell center Brad Mills, Manitoba left wing Matt Pettinger, Milwaukee center Colin Wilson, Norfolk goaltender Dustin Tokarski, Peoria center Derek Armstrong, Portland goaltender Jhonas Enroth, Providence center Trent Whitfield, Rochester center Jamie Johnson, Rockford right wing Jack Skille, San Antonio left wing Brett MacLean, Syracuse center Dan Fritsche, Texas center Aaron Gagnon, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton left wing Luca Caputi and Worcester center Benn Ferriero.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
