SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Utica Comets goaltender Joacim Eriksson has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 26, 2014.
In three starts last week, Eriksson went 3-0-0 with a 1.31 goals-against average, a .953 save percentage and one shutout to help the Comets extend their winning streak to a team-best four games.
After a two-week stint in the National Hockey League with the parent Vancouver Canucks, Eriksson returned to the Utica lineup on Tuesday and stopped 22 of 23 shots as the Comets edged visiting Chicago, 2-1. Utica then headed west for a two-game series in Abbotsford, and Eriksson was outstanding in Friday night’s 1-0 overtime victory, stopping all 36 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season. He then made 23 saves on Saturday night as the Comets earned another overtime win, 4-3 over the Heat.
Eriksson has won seven of his last eight decisions (7-1-0, 1.72, .940) and is now 11-11-1 with a 2.63 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 24 appearances on the season. A 23-year-old native of Gavle, Sweden, Eriksson is in his first season of play in North America after winning a Swedish league championship with Skelleftea in 2013. Signed as a free agent by Vancouver on June 17, 2013, Eriksson made his NHL debut with the Canucks on Jan. 15.
In recognition of his achievement, Eriksson will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Comets home game.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
