Comets’ Bachman named Player of the Week

Photo: Jeff Parsons

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Utica Comets goaltender Richard Bachman has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 22, 2017.

Bachman had a perfect record in three starts last week, allowing three goals on 81 shots (3-0-0, 1.00, .963) in a trio of road wins over North Division opponents.

On Tuesday night in St. John’s, Bachman made 26 saves to help the Comets to a 5-2 victory over the IceCaps at Mile One Centre. He came back with a 32-save performance on Wednesday and earned first-star honors as Utica downed St. John’s, 3-1. And on Saturday, Bachman earned his first shutout of the season with 20 saves in a 4-0 win at Syracuse, his fifth consecutive win – all on the road – in a span of nine days.

Bachman has made 17 appearances with Utica this season, showing a 9-7-1 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. The eighth-year pro from Salt Lake City, Utah, has a career record of 110-73-20 with 16 shutouts in 211 AHL games with Utica, Oklahoma City and Texas, and has also made 42 appearances in the National Hockey League with Vancouver, Edmonton and Dallas. Originally a fourth-round pick by the Stars in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Bachman signed as a free agent with the Canucks on July 1, 2015.

In recognition of his achievement, Bachman will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Comets home game.