Kadri named week’s best after 8-point effort

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Toronto Marlies center Nazem Kadri has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 18, 2012.

Kadri tallied eight points (one goal, seven assists) and a plus-3 rating in four games last week, sparking the Marlies to a 3-1-0-0 record.

After picking up an assist in a 6-5 overtime win at Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Kadri tallied two helpers in Friday’s 6-3 loss at Hamilton. In Saturday’s nationally televised rematch with the Bulldogs, Kadri tied a franchise record with four assists – including three on the power play – and was named the game’s first star in a 6-1 Toronto victory. And on Sunday, he scored a goal to help the Marlies to a 5-0 win over division-leading Abbotsford.

Kadri, who had totaled just three assists in his first nine games of the season, now has 11 points in his last five games, taking over the team lead with 12 assists and tying for first on the club with 14 points for the season. A third-year pro from London, Ont., the 22-year-old Kadri has 37 goals and 58 assists for 95 points in 106 career AHL games with the Marlies. He also has eight goals and 11 assists in 51 NHL games with the parent Maple Leafs, who selected him in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

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

Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week