SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Grand Rapids Griffins center Matt Ellis has been named the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending February 18, 2007. Ellis recorded four goals and two assists for six points in three games last week.
Ellis kicked off the week with his second four-point performance of the year, including a power-play goal, a shorthanded goal and an empty-net goal for his first career AHL hat trick, as the Griffins posted a 5-2 win over San Antonio on Friday. The next night, he put home the game-winning goal to help Grand Rapids to a 4-2 win over the Rampage. On Sunday, Ellis recorded an assist in the Griffins’ 7-3 loss to Peoria.
In recognition of his achievement, Ellis will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Griffins home game.
Ellis, in his fourth season with Grand Rapids and second serving as team captain, has totaled a team-high 20 goals to go with 20 assists for 40 points in 50 games for the Griffins this season. He has also skated in five games with the Detroit Red Wings this season, making his NHL debut on Dec. 18, 2006, vs. Columbus. A 25-year-old native of Welland, Ont., Ellis has recorded 144 points (63g, 81a) in 267 career AHL games – all with Grand Rapids – and ranks among the Griffins franchise’s all-time leaders in goals (T-6th), assists (8th), points (5th) and games played (5th).
Other nominees for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week include Albany left wing Antti Laaksonen, Bridgeport left wing Brandon Nolan, Chicago center Steve Martins, Hamilton center Corey Locke, Hartford left wing Brad Isbister, Hershey center Joey Tenute, Houston right wing Mattias Weinhandl, Manchester defenseman Peter Harrold, Manitoba goaltender Drew MacIntyre, Milwaukee goaltender Pekka Rinne, Peoria center Trent Whitfield, Portland left wing Mark Hartigan, Providence center David Krejci, Rochester left wing Michael Ryan, San Antonio center Donald MacLean, Syracuse left wing Curtis Glencross, Toronto left wing Colin Murphy and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton left wing Jean-Francois Jacques.
Also see: Previous winners, CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week
