SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Lowell Devils defenseman Tyler Eckford has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 15, 2009. Eckford notched two goals, seven assists and a plus-6 rating in three games as the Devils tied a franchise record by extending their winning streak to five games.
Eckford’s week featured three three-point nights, beginning on Wednesday afternoon when he recorded three assists in Lowell’s 7-3 win at Worcester. He scored two power-play goals and assisted on the game-winner in Friday’s 5-1 victory to complete a home-and-home sweep of the Sharks, and dished out three more assists on Saturday as Lowell raced past Providence, 5-3.
In recognition of his achievement, Eckford will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Devils home game.
A second-year pro, Eckford ranks third among AHL defensemen with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 18 games for Lowell this season. As a rookie with the Devils in 2008-09, Eckford totaled two goals and 25 assists in 72 AHL contests. Eckford, 24, is a native of Vancouver, B.C., and was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2004. He was an NCAA West First Team All-American at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks in 2007-08.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Week include Adirondack goaltender Nic Riopel, Albany right wing Pat Dwyer, Binghamton left wing Denis Hamel, Bridgeport goaltender Scott Munroe, Chicago left wing Brett Sterling, Grand Rapids defenseman Doug Janik, Hamilton right wing Mike Glumac, Hartford goaltender Chad Johnson, Hershey goaltender Michal Neuvirth, Houston goaltender Anton Khudobin, Lake Erie right wing Brian Willsie, Manchester center Corey Elkins, Manitoba right wing Eric Walsky, Milwaukee center Cal O’Reilly, Peoria defenseman Brendan Bell, Portland right wing Mark Mancari, Providence right wing Mikko Lehtonen, Rochester center Jamie Johnson, Rockford right wing Danny Bois, San Antonio forward Mikkel Boedker, Syracuse goaltender Kevin Lalande, Texas goaltender Brent Krahn and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Dustin Jeffrey.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
