SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Hamilton Bulldogs goaltender Dustin Tokarski has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 24, 2013.
Tokarski stopped 98 of the 100 shots he faced in three starts last week (3-0-0, 0.67, .980), helping the Bulldogs pull into a tie for first place in the AHL’s North Division.
On Tuesday night, Tokarski made 30 saves in Hamilton’s 5-1 victory over visiting Texas. At the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, he turned aside 25 of 26 shots and was named the game’s first star as the Bulldogs defeated Syracuse, 4-1. And in Saturday’s rematch with the Crunch back in Syracuse, Tokarski stymied his former teammates with 43 saves – the most by a goaltender in a shutout this season – to lead the Bulldogs to a 3-0 victory.
For the season, Tokarski (8-3-1) ranks second in the AHL in both goals-against average (1.91) and save percentage (.935), allowing two goals or fewer in 12 of his 14 appearances.
Tokarski has appeared in 208 career AHL games with Norfolk, Syracuse and Hamilton over his five professional seasons, compiling a record of 112-75-12 with a 2.42 GAA, a .912 save percentage and 18 shutouts. The 24-year-old native of Humboldt, Sask., won a Calder Cup championship with Norfolk in 2012 and is 14-6 (1.67, .937) in 20 career postseason contests. Originally drafted by Tampa Bay in 2008, Tokarski was acquired by Montreal in a trade with the Lightning on Feb. 14, 2013, and has made seven career appearances in the NHL.
In recognition of his achievement, Tokarski will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bulldogs home game.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
