AJHL announces Players of the Week

Press Release

CHESTERFIELD, VA. - The Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) has announced that Laconia Leafs forward Pat LaCasse (left), Walpole Express defenseman Jimmy Burns (middle) and Philadelphia Jr. Flyers goaltender Scott Brown have been named the Offensive, Defensive and Goaltender of the Week, respectively, for the week ending Jan. 27.

LaCasse, from Concord, N.H., struck for two goals and four assists as the Leafs fashioned a 1-0-1 record against the New Jersey Titans. On Friday, the 1992-born connected for a goal and assisted on forward Stephen Kelly’s game-winning marker in a 4-2 victory. The next day, the 6-foot, 164-pounder tallied another goal and three more assists as the Leafs and Titans skated to a 4-4 tie.

“Pat provided timely offense and great energy for us last week,” said Leafs head coach Joe Cardarelli. “He and his linemates played a significant role in our offense, and we expect Pat to continue his great play down the stretch.”

Burns, a Red Bank, N.J., native, recorded four assists at the Express earned two victories. On Tuesday, the 1993-born picked up a pair of assists, including one on forward Collin O’Neil’s game-winning goal, in a 5-3 triumph over the Connecticut Wolfpack. Two nights later, the 5-foot-9, 168-pounder connected for two more helpers, including one on defenseman David Tearse’s shorthanded game-winning marker, as the Express doubled up the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, 4-2.

“All season, Jimmy has been very effective for us at both ends of the ice,” said Express head coach Mark Kumpel. “He’s got a lot of skill and a great work ethic, and we’re counting on him to elevate his game even more as the playoffs approach.”

Brown, from Sewickley, Pa., backstopped the Jr. Flyers to a pair of wins, turning aside 56 of 60 shots. On Monday, the 1993-born made 34 saves in a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Little Flyers. Four days later, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder stopped 22 shots as the Jr. Flyers downed the New Jersey Rockets, 5-3.

“Scott’s a very talented goaltender who’s been a big part of our success this season,” said Jr. Flyers head coach Jerry Domish. “We have all the confidence in the world in his abilities.”

HONORABLE MENTION

OFFENSIVE: Rockets forwards Jeremy Bracco and Brooks Lewis; Wolfpack forward Vinny Caligiuri; O’Neil  

DEFENSIVE: Rockets defenseman Frank Coscia

GOALTENDER: Walpole’s Kyle Shapiro and Nick Commesso

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