AJHL announces Players of the Week

Press Release

CHESTERFIELD, VA. - The Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) has announced that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights forward Bobby Polachek (left), New Jersey Titans defenseman Brendan Conroy and Laconia Leafs goaltender Brandon Bechard have been named the Offensive, Defensive and Goaltender of the Week, respectively, for the week ending Oct. 28.

Polachek, from Kingston, Pa., struck for a goal and four assists as the Knights fashioned a 2-1 record. On Friday, the 1994-born tallied a goal and two assists in a 5-4 victory over the New Jersey Titans. The next day, the 6-foot-5, 200-pounder picked up another assist as the Knights downed the New Jersey Rockets, 6-2. Polachek added another helper on Sunday in a 4-2 loss to the Rockets.

"Bobby is a dynamic two-way forward,” said Knights head coach Justin Lyle. “His strong defensive play rewards both himself and his linemates with a number of scoring opportunities.”

Conroy, a Batavia, Ill., native, registered a goal and three assists as the Titans forged a 1-1 record. On Friday, the 1993-born rang up two assists in a 5-4 loss to the Knights. The next day, the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder put home a goal and another assist as the Titans downed the Philadelphia Little Flyers, 5-2.

“Brendan has quickly stepped in and become a key player on our blue line,” said Titans head coach Dustin De Palma. “He’s an excellent skater with good puck-management skills and has a quiet-but-confident demeanor. Brendan has the ability to impact a game whenever he’s on the ice."

In his first two starts for Laconia, Bechard, from Plattsburgh, N.Y., backstopped the Leafs to a two-game sweep over the Washington Jr. Nationals, turning aside 81 of 83 shots. On Saturday, the 1993-born made 34 saves in a 4-1 victory. The next day, the 5-foot-11, 160-pounder stopped 47 shots as the Leafs downed the Jr. Nationals, 2-1.

“Brandon may be new to our team, but he’s already earned the trust of his teammates,” said Leafs head coach Joe Cardarelli. “He came up with a lot of big saves in some key situations last weekend, and played a big role in our team’s success.”

HONORABLE MENTION

OFFENSIVE: Knights forward Gaven LaValley

GOALTENDER: Boston’s Sam Bernard

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