NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Grand Rapids Griffins

Mrazek Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week

February 4, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The American Hockey League on Monday announced that Grand Rapids Griffins goaltender Petr Mrazek ( M'RAZ-ihk ) has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 3.

The award capped off an incredible week for the rookie, who claimed the win in his AHL All-Star Game debut last Monday, earned his first pro shutout on Saturday to help the Griffins extend their Midwest Division lead to nine points and was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.

The 20-year-old native of Ostrava, Czech Republic, returned from the all-star break to make 21 saves in Friday's 5-1 win at Hamilton, then stopped all 32 shots on Saturday at Van Andel Arena to blank North Division-leading Abbotsford by a 1-0 count. For the week, Mrazek posted a 0.50 goals against average and a 0.981 save percentage (53-54).

Detroit's fifth choice (141st overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Mrazek owns a 16-7-1 record in 25 appearances this season and ranks among the AHL's leaders in wins (T6th), goals against average (2.26, 9th) and save percentage (0.916, T18th). He's also second among league rookies in goals against average and third in save percentage.

A first-year pro, Mrazek made an immediate impact on the Griffins' lineup, setting a franchise record by winning his first six starts from Nov. 3-23. He spent the past three seasons with the OHL's Ottawa 67s, leading the team to the Eastern Conference Final last season. Mrazek also represented his country at the 2012 World Junior Championship, where he won the IIHF Directorate Top Goaltender Award.

Mrazek's honor is the second for a Griffin in a span of three weeks - Joakim Andersson earned the award for Jan. 20 - and the first for a Grand Rapids goalie in more than four years. In fact, only three other Griffins backstops have been named AHL Player of the Week: Jimmy Howard (Jan. 25, 2009 and March 20, 2006), Joey MacDonald (Feb. 16, 2004) and Marc Lamothe (Nov. 18, 2002).

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

The Griffins will begin a stretch of three games in four nights on Wednesday, hosting the Houston Aeros at 7 p.m., before playing back-to-back road games at the Oklahoma City Barons at 8 p.m. EST. Tickets for Wednesday's game are available at griffinshockey.com.

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Grand Rapids Griffins Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central