SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Iowa Stars right wing Junior Lessard has been named the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending October 8, 2006. In two games, Lessard scored two goals and assisted on three others as the Stars earned a pair of road wins against West Division foes.
On Saturday night in San Antonio, Lessard scored the first of Iowa’s three first-period goals, then assisted on the game-winning tally midway through the third period as the Stars opened with a 5-4 victory over the Rampage. On Sunday in Houston, Lessard gave Iowa the lead with his second-period goal, then picked up two assists in the third as the Stars rallied for a 6-3 win over the Aeros.
In recognition of his achievement, Lessard will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Stars home game.
A native of St.-Joseph-de-Beauce, Que., Lessard is beginning his third professional season after signing with the Dallas Stars out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2004. Lessard, who earned the Hobey Baker Award as the outstanding player in U.S. college hockey as a senior, tallied 26 goals and 31 assists for 57 points in 66 games with Iowa last season, while also recording one goal in five NHL games with Dallas. Lessard, 26, has totaled 39 goals and 45 assists for 84 points in 139 career AHL contests.
Other nominees for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week include Albany forward Ben Guite, Binghamton left wing Arttu Luttinen, Bridgeport forward Blake Comeau, Chicago center Jason Krog, Grand Rapids right wing Brendan Brooks, Hartford defenseman Marvin Degon, Hershey forward Joey Tenute, Houston center Ben Thomson, Manchester goaltender Jason LaBarbera, Manitoba center Brad Moran, Omaha center David Moss, Peoria left wing Jon DiSalvatore, Philadelphia right wing Stefan Ruzicka, Providence right wing Kris Versteeg, Rochester left wing Daniel Paille, San Antonio center Yanick Lehoux, Springfield right wing Norm Milley, Syracuse left wing Darcy Verot, Toronto goaltender Jean-Francois Racine, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward Jonathan Filewich and Worcester left wing Mathieu Darche.
