Falcons’ Thoresen earns weekly honor

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Springfield Falcons center Patrick Thoresen has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending October 14, 2007. Thoresen recorded two goals, three assists and a plus-5 rating in three games as the Falcons flew to the top of the Atlantic Division standings.

On Friday, Thoresen assisted on the game-winning goal in the third period of Springfield’s 6-4 defeat of Portland. The next night at Manchester, he scored twice to erase a two-goal deficit in a game that the Falcons would eventually drop, 4-3. And Sunday, Thoresen dished out two more assists as Springfield rallied for a 4-3 victory over Norfolk.

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

A native of Oslo, Norway, Thoresen is one point off the AHL scoring lead with seven points (3g, 4a) in five games this season. The 23-year-old pivot played three seasons in Sweden before spending most of last year with the Edmonton Oilers, where he recorded four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 68 NHL games. He also had six points in five AHL contests with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2006-07.

Other nominees for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week include Albany right wing Jerome Samson, Binghamton left wing Danny Bois, Bridgeport goaltender Joey MacDonald, Chicago defenseman Brian Fahey, Grand Rapids right wing Carl Corazzini, Hamilton center Maxim Lapierre, Hartford left wing Nigel Dawes, Houston defenseman Erik Reitz, Manchester center Gabe Gauthier, Manitoba center Brad Moran, Milwaukee goaltender Pekka Rinne, Norfolk goaltender Ryan Munce, Peoria center Yan Stastny, Philadelphia goaltender Brian Boucher, Portland center Jason King, Quad City defenseman Tim Hambly, Rochester left wing Clarke MacArthur, Rockford center Petri Kontiola, San Antonio right wing Enver Lisin, Syracuse center Derick Brassard, Toronto defenseman Derrick Walser, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Jeff Taffe and Worcester center Mike Iggulden.

Also see: Previous winners, Rbk/AHL Player of the Week