SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Philadelphia Phantoms center Ryan Potulny has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 11, 2007. Potulny scored five goals and added an assist for six points in three games as the first-place Phantoms (13-1-1-0) continued their torrid start to the 2007-08 season.
After missing the previous six games due to injury, Potulny had a hand in six of the Phantoms’ seven goals on the week and scored three consecutive game-winning tallies. He single-handedly gave Philadelphia a dramatic 3-2 win over Bridgeport with a natural hat trick on Friday night, scoring twice in the final 1:43 of regulation before potting the decisive goal 2:11 into overtime. On Saturday, he registered a power-play goal as the Phantoms defeated Binghamton, 2-0. And Sunday, he had a goal and an assist in the third period of Philadelphia’s 2-1 come-fom-behind win over Albany.
In recognition of his achievement, Potulny will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Phantoms home game.
Potulny, 23, is in his second professional season after a standout career at the University of Minnesota which saw him lead the nation in scoring in 2005-06. In eight games for the Phantoms this season, Potulny has a team-high seven goals and has added two assists for nine points. A third-round draft choice by the parent Philadelphia Flyers in 2003, the native of Grand Forks, N.D., has appeared in 38 career NHL games (including one this season), totaling seven goals and six assists.
Other nominees for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week include Albany goaltender Michael Leighton, Bridgeport left wing Jeff Tambellini, Chicago goaltender Fred Brathwaite, Grand Rapids center Mark Hartigan, Hamilton right wing Duncan Milroy, Hartford left wing Brodie Dupont, Hershey right wing Joe Motzko, Houston left wing Peter Olvecky, Iowa center Toby Petersen, Lake Erie defenseman Steve Margeson, Lowell left wing Noah Clarke, Manchester right wing Teddy Purcell, Manitoba left wing Mason Raymond, Milwaukee center Rich Peverley, Peoria defenseman Jeff Woywitka, Portland goaltender Jonas Hiller, Providence right wing Jeff Hoggan, Quad City center Dustin Boyd, Rochester left wing Tanner Glass, Rockford center Martin St. Pierre, San Antonio defenseman Brendan Bell, Springfield center Marc Pouliot, Syracuse center Philippe Dupuis, Toronto left wing Robbie Earl, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Nathan Smith and Worcester center Mike Iggulden.
