Newbury named Player of the Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Connecticut Whale center Kris Newbury has been selected as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 1, 2012.

In four games last week, Newbury notched three goals and five assists for eight points as the Whale maintained its hold on first place in the AHL’s Northeast Division.

Facing a busy schedule coming out of the Christmas break, Newbury recorded an assist at Bridgeport on Dec. 26 and tallied a goal and two assists in a 3-2 Whale win vs. Albany on Dec. 27. He had two more assists at Worcester on Dec. 30, and closed out the week with a pair of goals to help Connecticut to a New Year’s Eve victory over Springfield.

Newbury finished the week with a seven-game scoring streak intact, posting 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in that span.

A native of Brampton, Ont., Newbury leads the Whale in scoring with 12 goals, 18 assists and 30 points in 24 games this season, and has also appeared in six NHL games with the parent N.Y. Rangers. The ninth-year pro has skated in 488 career AHL contests with Connecticut/Hartford, Grand Rapids, the Toronto Marlies and the St. John’s Maple Leafs, registering 109 goals and 234 assists for 343 points. Newbury also has four goals and four assists in 65 career NHL games with the Rangers, Detroit and Toronto.

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

Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week