SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Houston Aeros defenseman Maxim Noreau has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 24, 2010. Noreau scored three goals and added four assists for seven points in just two games.
After representing Houston at the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic in Portland, Maine, Noreau headed with his Aeros teammates to the other side of the continent for a two-game weekend set in Abbotsford, B.C. On Friday night, Noreau tied a franchise record by notching five points, including his third two-goal game of the season, to lead Houston to a 7-1 win over the Heat. Noreau came back with a goal and an assist on Saturday, helping the Aeros to a 5-4 overtime victory.
In recognition of his achievement, Noreau will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Aeros home game.
Noreau leads all AHL defensemen with 13 goals and 37 points while owning a plus-7 rating in 45 games for Houston this season, and is on the verge of surpassing his career highs in goals (14), assists (25) and points (39) established in 77 games with the Aeros in 2008-09. The 22-year-old native of Montreal also tied for second among AHL defensemen in playoff scoring during the 2009 postseason with 11 points in 20 games as Houston reached the conference finals. The third-year pro signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Wild on May 22, 2008.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Week include Albany right wing Jerome Samson, Binghamton left wing Kaspars Daugavins, Bridgeport goaltender Nathan Lawson, Chicago right wing Tim Stapleton, Hartford goaltender Chad Johnson, Hershey center Keith Aucoin, Lake Erie left wing Justin Mercier, Lowell goaltender Jeff Frazee, Manchester left wing Bud Holloway, Milwaukee center Mike Santorelli, Norfolk goaltender Jaroslav Janus, Peoria center Lars Eller, Portland right wing Kyle Wanvig, Rochester center Jamie Johnson, San Antonio center Gavin Morgan, Syracuse center Derek MacKenzie, Texas center Perttu Lindgren, Toronto right wing Christian Hanson, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton right wing Chris Conner and Worcester center Logan Couture.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
