SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Brad Thiessen has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Mar. 28, 2010. Thiessen made three appearances and stopped 94 of 97 shots as the Penguins battled to solidify their hold on a playoff spot in the East Division.
With the Penguins heading to Norfolk for a crucial two-game set, Thiessen drew the start on Wednesday and made 31 saves in recording his third shutout of the season, a 3-0 decision over the Admirals. He came back on Friday night and stopped 26 of 27 shots, allowing only a late power-play goal in a 3-1 win over Norfolk. And on Sunday, Thiessen made 37 saves in the Penguins’ 2-1 loss to Atlantic Division leader Worcester.
In recognition of his achievement, Thiessen will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Penguins home game.
Signed by Pittsburgh on Apr. 3, 2009, Thiessen has gone 11-12-1 in 25 appearances with the Penguins this season, ranking fourth among AHL rookies with a 2.51 goals-against average and third with a .913 save percentage. The 24-year-old native of Aldergrove, B.C., played three seasons at Northeastern University and was the Hockey East conference’s player of the year in 2008-09, and was one of three finalists for last season’s Hobey Baker Award as the outstanding player in U.S. college hockey.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Week include Adirondack center Jon Matsumoto, Albany right wing Jerome Samson, Bridgeport center Tyler Haskins, Chicago center Matt Anderson, Grand Rapids right wing Jamie Tardif, Hamilton center David Desharnais, Hartford right wing Dale Weise, Hershey left wing Alexandre Giroux, Houston center Chad Rau, Lake Erie center Philippe Dupuis, Lowell center Michael Swift, Manchester defenseman Alec Martinez, Milwaukee center Mike Santorelli, Peoria center Cam Paddock, Portland center Paul Byron, Rochester defenseman Clay Wilson, Rockford center Mark Cullen, San Antonio left wing Brett MacLean, Syracuse center Greg Moore, Texas center Warren Peters and Worcester goaltender Alex Stalock.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
