SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Norfolk Admirals left wing Mathieu Darche has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 18, 2007. In his first four AHL games of the season, Darche erupted for 10 points on three goals and seven assists.
Assigned to Norfolk on Nov. 13 after spending the first six weeks of the season in the NHL with the parent Tampa Bay Lightning, Darche made his Admirals debut on Wednesday and assisted on all three Norfolk goals in a 6-3 loss at Hartford. He came back on Friday with a goal and three assists as the Admirals rallied to earn a point for a shootout loss in Springfield. Darche scored another goal in Providence on Saturday, then finished the road trip with a goal and an assist in Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Lowell. Darche recorded a point on 10 of the Admirals’ 12 goals in the four games.
In recognition of his achievement, Darche will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Admirals home game.
Now in his first season in the Tampa Bay organization, Darche finished seventh in the AHL in scoring in 2006-07, setting career highs with 35 goals, 45 assists and 80 points in 76 games for the Worcester Sharks. The Montreal native has appeared in 440 career AHL games, registering 165 goals and 187 assists for 352 points. Darche, a 2007 AHL All-Star and 2004 Calder Cup champion, also has six points (2g, 4a) in 41 career NHL contests, including one goal and three assists in 13 games with the Lightning in 2007-08.
Other nominees for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week include Albany goaltender Kevin Nastiuk, Binghamton left wing Denis Hamel, Chicago center Jason Krog, Hamilton defenseman Marvin Degon, Hartford goaltender Al Montoya, Hershey right wing Jakub Klepis, Houston defenseman Paul Albers, Lake Erie right wing Chris Stewart, Lowell defenseman Zach Tarkir, Manchester right wing Teddy Purcell, Manitoba goaltender Drew MacIntyre, Milwaukee center Mike Santorelli, Peoria center Trent Whitfield, Philadelphia forward Pete Zingoni, Portland center Geoff Platt, Providence left wing Pascal Pelletier, Quad City goaltender Curtis McElhinney, Rochester left wing Stefan Meyer, Rockford center Martin St. Pierre, San Antonio center Joey Tenute, Springfield center Patrick Thoresen, Syracuse center Andrew Murray and Toronto right wing David Ling.
Also see: Previous winners, Rbk/AHL Player of the Week
