Thursday, September 27, 2012

AJHL announces Players of the Week

Press Release 

HESTERFIELD, VA - The Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) has announced that Walpole Express forward Eric Salzillo, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights defenseman Tommy Dowell and New Jersey Rockets goaltender Phil Heinle have been named the Offensive, Defensive and Goaltender of the Week, respectively, for the week ending Sept. 23.
 
Salzillo, from Johnston, R.I., struck for a goal and six assists in three games at the first AJHL Showcase of the season, which was held in Aston, Pa. On Friday, the 1994-born assisted on both Walpole goals in a 4-2 loss to the Rockets. The next day, Salzillo rang up the game-winning marker and two assists in a 6-0 triumph over the New Jersey Titans. On Sunday, the 5-foot-10, 171-pounder added two more helpers as the Express blanked the New York Bobcats, 4-0.
 
Dowell, a Kansas City native, connected for a goal and three assists in three Showcase games. After being held scoreless on Friday - a 6-4 loss to the Bobcats - the 1992-born tallied the game-winning goal the next day in the Knights’ 4-2 victory over the Rockets. On Sunday, the 6-foot, 190-pound Dowell picked up three assists, including one on forward Erik Moberg’s game-winning marker, as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton downed the Titans, 6-1.
 
“Tommy brings a high level of veteran experience to our blue line,” said Knights head coach Justin Lyle. “He’s a very solid defender with great touch on the power play and will be a dynamic two-way defenseman at the college level.”
 
Heinle, from York, Pa., fashioned a 1-1 record in two Showcase appearances, stopping 50 of 53 shots. On Friday, the 1993-born made 29 saves in a 4-2 victory over the Express. Two days later, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Heinle turned aside 21 of 22 shots in a 2-0 loss to the Connecticut Wolfpack.
 
“Phil provided a solid veteran presence in net for us over the weekend,” said Rockets head coach Bob Thornton. “He has a proven track record in the AJHL and is off to his typical solid start.”
 
HONORABLE MENTION
 
OFFENSIVE: Boston forward Matt Swett; Connecticut forward Anthony Beaumont; Northern Cyclones forward Simon Leahy; Philadelphia Jr. Flyers forward Aaron Peterson; Philadelphia Little Flyers forward Trevor Gooch; Rockets forward Brandon Fusaro; Moberg
 
DEFENSIVE: Boston defenseman John Harty; Connecticut defenseman Nick Owen; Jr. Flyers defenseman Jim LeNoir; Little Flyers defenseman Donald Rudd
 
GOALTENDER: Boston’s Chris Paulin; Connecticut’s Gene Lane; Little Flyers’ Landon Trutt


(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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