SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Norfolk Admirals left wing Johan Harju has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 28, 2010. Harju scored six goals and notched one assist for seven points while posting a plus-5 rating in five games for the Admirals.
Norfolk’s week began in Charlotte last Monday, and Harju scored twice as the Admirals rallied from two goals down to earn a 7-3 victory. Harju netted four points, including a hat trick, to help Norfolk to another come-from-behind win on Friday night, a 6-3 decision at Adirondack, and scored the game-winning goal in the Admirals’ 5-2 victory in Springfield on Saturday.
In recognition of his achievement, Harju will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Admirals home game.
Harju, 24, is in his first season of North American hockey after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2007. He leads Norfolk and ranks third in the AHL with 13 goals this season and has a team-high 23 points in 17 games with the Admirals. The native of Overtornea, Sweden, has also appeared in four NHL games with the Lightning, making his NHL debut on Nov. 12 at Pittsburgh.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Week include Adirondack defenseman Danny Syvret, Binghamton defenseman Derek Smith, Bridgeport goaltender Kevin Poulin, Charlotte defenseman Bryan Rodney, Chicago right wing Spencer Machacek, Connecticut goaltender Cameron Talbot, Grand Rapids left wing Tomas Tatar, Hamilton left wing Max Pacioretty, Hershey center Mathieu Perreault, Houston defenseman Jared Spurgeon, Lake Erie center Ryan Stoa, Manchester center Andrei Loktionov, Manitoba goaltender Eddie Lack, Milwaukee right wing Chris Mueller, Oklahoma City right wing Colin McDonald, Peoria goaltender Jake Allen, Portland right wing Mark Mancari, Providence center Jamie Arniel, Rochester defenseman Clay Wilson, Rockford goaltender Alec Richards, San Antonio right wing Mathieu Beaudoin, Syracuse left wing Matt Beleskey, Texas forward Greg Rallo, Toronto right wing Joey Crabb, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Dustin Jeffrey and Worcester goaltender Alex Stalock.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
