SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Toronto Marlies defenseman Derrick Walser has been named the CCM/AHL Player of the Month for October. Walser recorded six goals and six assists for 12 points in eight games to help the Marlies to the best record in the AHL (7-0-0-1).
Walser notched a point in each of Toronto’s eight games during October, beginning with a goal in the Marlies’ win over Rochester to open the season on Oct. 6. Walser then matched his AHL career highs with three assists and four points – all in the second period – during a win over Lake Erie on Oct. 12. He assisted on the game-winning goal late in the third period of Toronto’s victory over Syracuse on Oct. 28, and netted a pair of goals to help the Marlies past Albany, 3-2, on Oct. 31.
In recognition of his achievement, Walser will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Marlies home game.
Walser is tied for fifth in the AHL in scoring with 12 points and leads all AHL defensemen in points and goals (6). Seven of his points in October came on the power play, where Toronto ranks third in the AHL at 23.5 percent efficiency (12-for-51). A former Calder Cup champion (2001) and AHL All-Star (2002), Walser now has 76 goals and 151 assists for 227 points in 302 career American Hockey League games. The native of New Glasgow, N.S., has also appeared in 91 career NHL contests, recording eight goals and 21 assists.
Other nominees for CCM/AHL Player of the Month include Albany goaltender Michael Leighton, Binghamton left wing Denis Hamel, Bridgeport center Ben Walter, Chicago center Steve Martins, Grand Rapids right wing Carl Corazzini, Hartford right wing Greg Moore, Houston defenseman Erik Reitz, Iowa center Toby Petersen, Lake Erie left wing Cody McLeod, Manchester center Gabe Gauthier, Manitoba right wing Colby Genoway, Milwaukee center Rich Peverley, Norfolk right wing Kyle Wanvig, Peoria left wing Charles Linglet, Philadelphia center Jared Ross, Providence right wing Petteri Nokelainen, Quad City defenseman Tim Hambly, Rockford defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, San Antonio goaltender Josh Tordjman, Syracuse center Derick Brassard, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman Jeff Taffe and Worcester center Mike Iggulden.
