SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Bridgeport Sound Tigers center Robert Nilsson has been named the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 19, 2006.
A 2003 first-round pick, Nilsson scored four goals and totaled seven points in three games, helping the Sound Tigers go 2-0-0-1 on the week.
The 21-year-old Nilsson kicked off the week by recording an assist in Bridgeport’s 3-2 shootout loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday. He then collected a pair of goals and an assist in a 5-1 win at Worcester on Friday night before scoring two more goals and assisting on the overtime game-winner in Saturday’s 4-3 road defeat of division rival Hershey.
In recognition of his achievement, Nilsson will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Sound Tigers home game.
Born in Calgary where his dad, Kent, played for the NHL’s Flames, the Swedish pivot was the 15th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders. Nilsson leads Bridgeport with 17 points (7g, 10a) in 16 games this season. As a rookie in 2005-06, Nilsson split time between the Sound Tigers and the Islanders, appearing in 53 NHL games and recording six goals and 14 assists for 20 points. He added 28 points (8g, 20a) in 29 regular-season games and five points in seven Calder Cup Playoff games for Bridgeport.
Other nominees for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week include Albany left wing Brad Isbister, Binghamton right wing Jeff Heerema, Chicago left wing Brett Sterling, Hamilton center Kyle Chipchura, Hartford defenseman Dale Purinton, Hershey right wing Eric Fehr, Houston left wing Benoit Pouliot, Lowell right wing Nicklas Bergfors, Manchester center Noah Clarke, Manitoba left wing Jason Jaffray, Milwaukee right wing Alexander Radulov, Norfolk center Martin St. Pierre, Peoria left wing Charles Linglet, Portland defenseman Aaron Rome, Providence center David Krejci, Rochester center Kamil Kreps, Springfield goaltender Karri Ramo, Syracuse goaltender Ty Conklin, Toronto left wing Robbie Earl, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Erik Christensen and Worcester center Joe Pavelski.
Also see: Previous winners, CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week
