IceHogs’ Saad named Player of the Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Rockford IceHogs left wing Brandon Saad has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 13, 2013.

Saad tallied six points in three games, including two game-winning goals, as Rockford kept pace in the wild Western Conference playoff picture.

After being held off the scoresheet but sharing the team lead with four shots on goal in a 6-3 loss to Grand Rapids on Wednesday night, Saad came back with four points in Friday’s rematch with the Griffins, recording a goal and three assists to help Rockford to a 5-2 win. Then on Saturday in Milwaukee, Saad assisted on the tying goal late in regulation before scoring 52 seconds into overtime to give the IceHogs a 2-1 victory.

A second-round draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011, Saad has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 31 games for the IceHogs this season, his first as a professional. The 20-year-old native of Pittsburgh, Pa., was a First Team All-Star in the Ontario Hockey League in 2011-12, tallying 76 points in 44 games for Saginaw, and made his National Hockey League debut with the Blackhawks, appearing in two regular-season and two playoff games last season. Saad spent the 2009-10 season with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-18 team and represented the United States at the 2012 World Junior Championships

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

Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week