Cousins named CCM/AHL Player of the Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Lehigh Valley Phantoms center Nick Cousins has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Mar. 15, 2015.

Cousins scored four goals and added two assists for six points in three road games last week, helping to keep the Phantoms alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

On Wednesday night in Toronto, Cousins recorded four points and capped his second hat trick of the season with the game-winning goal on a penalty shot with 2:22 remaining in regulation, lifting Lehigh Valley over the Marlies, 4-3. On Friday, Cousins was held scoreless but registered a team-high four shots on goal as the Phantoms defeated Providence in a shootout, 2-1. And on Saturday, Cousins’ goal sparked a Lehigh Valley comeback from 2-0 down and he assisted on the eventual game-winner as the Phantoms defeated Bridgeport, 4-2. Cousins was recalled by Philadelphia after Saturday’s game.

A third-round pick by the Flyers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Cousins is tied for fifth in the AHL in scoring with 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) while appearing in all 60 games for Lehigh Valley this season. The 21-year-old native of Belleville, Ont., notched 29 points as a rookie with the Phantoms in 2013-14, and has now totaled 32 goals and 53 assists for 85 points in 142 career AHL games since debuting as an 18-year-old in 2012. Cousins was previously named CCM/AHL Player of the Month for January 2015.

In recognition of his achievement, Cousins will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Phantoms home game.

Also see: Previous winners, CCM/AHL Player of the Week