The American Hockey League announced today that Manchester Monarchs left wing Dustin Brown has been named the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 7, 2004. Brown celebrated his 20th birthday in style, scoring five goals in two games for the Monarchs, who are off to an 8-1-0-0 start.
Brown, a first-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2003, turned 20 on Thursday, then came out firing with both Manchester goals in a 4-2 loss to Worcester on Friday. He then netted his first professional hat trick on Saturday, helping the Monarchs to a 5-2 victory over Albany.
In recognition of his achievement, Brown will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Monarchs home game.
A native of Ithaca, N.Y., Brown spent the entire 2003-04 in the NHL with the Kings, recording one goal and four assists in 31 games. This year with the Monarchs, he has seven goals and six assists for 13 points in nine games, including four multiple-point efforts. The 13th overall pick in 2003, Brown is tied for seventh in the AHL scoring race, and is one of four Monarchs in the top 10.
Other nominees for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week include Albany goaltender Ari Ahonen, Binghamton center Jason Spezza, Bridgeport center Sean Bergenheim, Chicago left wing Karl Stewart, Edmonton right wing Brad Winchester, Hamilton center Tomas Plekanec, Hartford goaltender Jason LaBarbera, Hershey left wing Mathieu Darche, Houston goaltender Josh Harding, Lowell center Eric Staal, Milwaukee left wing Simon Gamache, Norfolk goaltender Craig Anderson, Philadelphia center Patrick Sharp, Portland center Brooks Laich, Rochester center Chris Taylor, San Antonio goaltender Travis Scott, Springfield right wing Shane Willis, St. John’s left wing Harold Druken, Syracuse defenseman Francois Beauchemin, Utah goaltender David LeNeveu and Worcester left wing Peter Sejna.
