In his first game back with the Marlies after spending more than three months in the NHL with the parent Maple Leafs, Tlusty scored twice and added two assists in Toronto’s 8-3 win over Chicago on Wednesday night. On Friday in Hamilton, he netted the winning goal with 3:17 left in regulation and picked up an assist as the Marlies beat the Bulldogs, 3-2. Tlusty then had a goal and two assists in Saturday’s 6-2 win over Rochester, and finished the regular season with an assist in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Manitoba.
In recognition of his achievement, Tlusty will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Marlies home game.
The 13th overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Tlusty played 14 AHL games with Toronto in 2007-08, recording seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points along with a plus-10 rating. Tlusty, a 20-year-old rookie from Slany, Czech Republic, also chipped in 10 goals and six assists for 16 points in 58 NHL games with the Maple Leafs, including two goals in his NHL debut at Pittsburgh on Oct. 25, 2007.
Other nominees for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week include Albany left wing Mike Angelidis, Bridgeport center Trevor Smith, Chicago right wing Darren Haydar, Grand Rapids center Evan McGrath, Hamilton center Corey Locke, Hartford center Artem Anisimov, Hershey right wing Andrew Gordon, Houston right wing Joel Ward, Lake Erie right wing Brad Richardson, Lowell left wing Ryan Murphy, Manchester goaltender Jonathan Quick, Milwaukee left wing Antti Pihlstrom, Norfolk right wing Kyle Wanvig, Peoria left wing Jean-Guy Trudel, Philadelphia defenseman Michael Ratchuk, Portland right wing Mike Hoffman, Providence right wing Martins Karsums, Rochester right wing Mark Mancari, Rockford center Petri Kontiola, San Antonio left wing Matt Murley, Syracuse center Derick Brassard, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Dave Gove and Worcester center Tom Cavanagh.
