SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Peoria Rivermen center Julian Talbot has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending March 23, 2008. Talbot recorded three goals, two assists and a plus-6 rating in two games to keep the Rivermen in the thick of the West Division playoff race.
After signing his first National Hockey League contract with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, Talbot celebrated by recording his second hat trick of the season plus an assist to lead Peoria to a 5-2 win over Lake Erie on Friday. His plus-5 rating for the night matched an AHL single-game season high. Talbot came back on Saturday evening with an assist on the game-winning goal in the Rivermen’s 6-2 victory over Iowa.
In recognition of his achievement, Talbot will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Rivermen home game.
Talbot, who turns 23 today, spent most of the 2007-08 season on an AHL contract, making the Rivermen roster following an impressive showing in Blues training camp. In 67 games for Peoria this season, Talbot leads the team in goals (23) and plus/minus rating (+18) while ranking fourth on the club with 46 points. A native of Wahnapitae, Ont., Talbot made his AHL debut with Providence during the 2006-07 season, recording one goal and two assists in seven games with the Bruins.
Other nominees for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week include Albany center Marc Cavosie, Bridgeport center Trevor Smith, Chicago center Jason Krog, Hartford right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Hershey center Alexandre Giroux, Houston center Marco Rosa, Lake Erie goaltender Mike Wall, Lowell center Petr Vrana, Manchester center Brian Boyle, Manitoba left wing Jannik Hansen, Milwaukee center Cal O'Reilly, Norfolk right wing Brandon Segal, Philadelphia center Darroll Powe, Portland center Jason King, Providence center Matt Hendricks, Rochester forward Tommy Goebel, Rockford goaltender Wade Flaherty, San Antonio center Mike Zigomanis, Syracuse goaltender Karl Goehring, Toronto goaltender Scott Clemmensen, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Tim Brent and Worcester left wing Dennis Packard. |
