SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Hamilton Bulldogs center Joonas Nattinen has been selected as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 19, 2012.
Nattinen recorded four goals and an assist to help the Bulldogs to three consecutive victories last week.
After scoring two goals in his first 36 games of the season, Nattinen quickly matched that total vs. St. John’s on Feb. 17, scoring twice in the first 4:22 of the game and adding an assist later in the first period as Hamilton defeated the league-leading IceCaps, 4-3. Nattinen scored again the next night as the Bulldogs rallied for a 5-2 win over Rockford, and his goal vs. Rochester on Feb. 19 gave Hamilton the lead for good in what would be a 7-3 victory.
A 21-year-old native of Jamsa, Finland, Nattinen now has six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 39 games for the Bulldogs this season, his first campaign in North America. Nattinen was a third-round draft choice (65th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in 2009, and represented Finland at the 2009 and 2010 World Junior Championships.
In recognition of his achievement, Nattinen will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bulldogs home game.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
