Shooting Star Beaudoin nets award

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Texas Stars right wing Mathieu Beaudoin has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 6, 2009. Beaudoin scored five goals in three games to help the Stars stay atop the West Division standings.

With three road games against three divisional opponents in three cities on tap for the weekend, Beaudoin sparked the Stars with his second career AHL hat trick on Friday night, paving the way for a 5-1 win at Milwaukee. On Saturday, Beaudoin’s goal began a Texas comeback from 2-0 down and the Stars rallied past Chicago, 5-3. And on Sunday, Beaudoin scored the equalizer in the second period of what would be a 4-1 victory at San Antonio.

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

Beaudoin, who had scored just one goal in 24 games entering the week, now shows six goals and nine assists for 15 points while skating in all 27 contests for Texas. A 25-year-old native of Rock Forest, Que., Beaudoin spent most of last season with Houston, sparking the Aeros to a trip to the conference finals by posting 17 points in 20 playoff matches. The third-year pro out of Ohio State University has tallied 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 82 career regular-season AHL games. Beaudoin signed with the Stars as a free agent on Sept. 10, 2009.

Other nominees for Reebok/AHL Player of the Week include Abbotsford goaltender Matt Keetley, Adirondack defenseman Danny Syvret, Albany center Mike Angelidis, Binghamton left wing Kaspars Daugavins, Bridgeport left wing Jesse Joensuu, Chicago right wing Tim Stapleton, Grand Rapids right wing Jan Mursak, Hershey right wing Andrew Gordon, Houston right wing Jean-Michel Daoust, Lake Erie defenseman Brett Skinner, Lowell center Tim Sestito, Manchester center Gabe Gauthier, Manitoba defenseman Aaron Rome, Milwaukee left wing Triston Grant, Norfolk center Ryan Craig, Peoria goaltender Ben Bishop, Portland center Paul Byron, Providence right wing Brad Marchand, Rochester center Chris Taylor, Rockford left wing Kyle Greentree, San Antonio center Kevin Porter, Syracuse center Dan Fritsche, Toronto left wing Viktor Stalberg, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Joe Vitale and Worcester goaltender Alex Stalock.

Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week