SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Grand Rapids Griffins right wing Francis Pare has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 13, 2009. Pare recorded three goals, three assists and a plus-8 rating in four games last week.
Pare had gone 21 games to open the season without a goal before he converted on a penalty shot vs. San Antonio on Wednesday night, and his assist in the final minute helped wrap up a 4-2 victory. On Friday, Pare scored in the third period and Grand Rapids went on to a 4-3 victory over Lake Erie. And after being held off the scoresheet vs. Milwaukee on Saturday, Pare chipped in a goal and two assists in the Griffins’ 7-2 win at Toronto.
In recognition of his achievement, Pare will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Griffins home game.
A second-year pro from Lemoyne, Que., Pare has three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 25 games for Grand Rapids this season, and his plus-12 rating is tied for the team lead. Pare recorded 24 goals and 24 assists and was a plus-23 as a rookie with the Griffins in 2008-09, after leading the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 54 goals and winning the Michel Briere Trophy as the league’s most valuable player with Chicoutimi in 2007-08. Pare, 22, signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings on Apr. 6, 2009.
Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Week include Adirondack right wing Stefan Legein, Albany goaltender Justin Peters, Binghamton defenseman Craig Schira, Bridgeport left wing Sean Bentivoglio, Chicago left wing Brett Sterling, Hamilton goaltender Cedrick Desjardins, Hershey center Keith Aucoin, Houston defenseman Ryan Gunderson, Lake Erie right wing Darren Haydar, Lowell center Ben Walter, Manchester left wing David Meckler, Manitoba center Marty Murray, Milwaukee center Cal O’Reilly, Norfolk right wing Brandon Bochenski, Peoria right wing Barry Tallackson, Portland goaltender Jhonas Enroth, Rochester left wing Andrew Sweetland, Rockford left wing Kyle Greentree, San Antonio center MacGregor Sharp, Syracuse left wing Bates Battaglia, Texas center Greg Rallo, Toronto center Tyler Bozak, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton right wing Nick Johnson and Worcester defenseman Jason Demers.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
