Former Burlington Cougar star Cory Conacher
(photo credit - Scott Thomas)has been named the AHL's first Player of the Week for the Syracuse Crunch after picking up where he left off last season.
Conacher played the 2006-07 as a member of the Cougars, notching 40 assists and 62 points in 48 games played as a 16-year old to finish third on the club in scoring, while earning a scholarship to attend Canisius College in nearby Buffalo. He would spend his full four year career with the Griffins before making the jump to pro, ultimately leading the Norfolk Admirals to the AHL Calder Cup championship last season while earning both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honours in the league.
Below is the official press release from the American Hockey League website (www.theahl.com):
The American Hockey League announced today that Syracuse Crunch left wing Cory Conacher has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 14, 2012.
Conacher, the most valuable player and outstanding rookie in the AHL last season, led all skaters with five points over the opening weekend of 2012-13, netting two goals and three assists.
Conacher began his second professional season on Friday night by registering a three-point third period, picking up a goal and two assists to help the Crunch rally from a 4-1 deficit and earn a point in a 6-5 shootout loss at Rochester. The next night, Conacher scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period and also chipped in an assist as Syracuse defeated Hershey, 4-3.
As a rookie in 2011-12, Conacher led the American Hockey League with 39 goals and ranked second with 80 points in the regular season, then added two goals and 13 assists for 15 points in 18 playoff games to help Norfolk to a Calder Cup championship. The 22-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., signed with Tampa Bay on Mar. 1, 2012, and now has 45 goals and 46 assists for 91 points in 84 career AHL games with Syracuse, Norfolk, Milwaukee and Rochester.
In recognition of his achievement, Conacher will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Crunch home game.
-OJHL