SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Hamilton Bulldogs center Mikhail Grabovski has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending February 17, 2008. Grabovski recorded five goals and five assists for 10 points in four games for the Bulldogs last week.
After being held scoreless in Wednesday’s game vs. Toronto, Grabovski came back on Friday with a hat trick – including the game-winning goal – and an assist in Hamilton’s 7-4 win over the Marlies. On Saturday, he had the game-tying goal and an assist in regulation and added a goal in the shootout as the Bulldogs beat Lake Erie, 4-3. And Sunday, Grabovski had a hand in all four Hamilton goals as he tallied the game-winning marker plus three assists in a 4-1 win over Rochester.
In recognition of his achievement, Grabovski will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bulldogs home game.
Grabovski, 24, has recorded five goals and seven assists for 12 points in eight games for Hamilton this season, while also adding one goal and one assist – his first two career NHL points – in 12 games with the parent Montreal Canadiens. A 2004 draft pick by Montreal, Grabovski recorded 54 points in 66 games with Hamilton last season and added 11 points in 20 postseason games as the Bulldogs captured the 2007 Calder Cup championship.
Other nominees for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week include Albany center Jamie Johnson, Binghamton left wing Greg Mauldin, Chicago left wing Brett Sterling, Grand Rapids right wing Darren McCarty, Hartford right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Hershey center Kyle Wilson, Houston center Adrian Foster, Iowa left wing James Neal, Lake Erie left wing Eric Healey, Lowell left wing Barry Tallackson, Manitoba center Brad Moran, Milwaukee center Cal O’Reilly, Norfolk right wing Norm Milley, Peoria left wing Charles Linglet, Philadelphia goaltender Brian Boucher, Portland forward Andrew Ebbett, Providence center Nate Thompson, Quad City right wing Eric Nystrom, Rochester defenseman/right wing Marc-Andre Gragnani, Rockford center Colin Fraser, San Antonio defenseman Brendan Bell, Toronto right wing Jeremy Williams and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.