Albany Devils Player of the Week

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Week 1 Days 1-7

It was a very dissapointing post season for the Devils as they were the top seed in the Eastern Conference and were eliminated in the first round. Some changes were made to the team as the club promoted there number one goalie Calvin Pickard and there top defenceman Jon Merrill. The team is expected to be competitive, but we dont think they are the elite in the East anymore.

Opening week for the Albany Devils saw the club with a very busy week. The team opened the season playing 6 games, playing .500 hockey with a 3-3 record. The wins came against the Sound Tigers x 2 and the Senators, while the losses were against the Sound Tigers x 2 and the Senators.

This weeks third star is Petr Straka.



Usually a very slow starter, the top line right winger was quick out of the gates this season. Petr, played in all 6 games. The stats that we are using are for only the first 4, as the last 2 games of the week are not visible. But in 4 games, Straka picked up 2 goals and added 3 assists for a total of 5 points. Petr, is obviously leading the team in scoring to open the season.

This weeks second star is Nigel Dawes.



Well, for a fourth line checker/ penalty killer, he has coming storming out of the gates offensively to start the season. Dawes, is currently tied for first place in scoring on the team after picking up 1 goal and adding 4 assists for a total of 5 points.

This weeks first star is Mike Murphy.



There were question marks in the nets to start the season as the teams #1 tender moved up to the big club, but Murphy has made Pickard memory a distant one with his play so far this season. Mike appeared in every minute for the team posting a 3-3 record to start the season. One of the wins came via the shutout. Mike currently has a .954 save percentage with a goals against average of 1.83.

Star Points
1. Mike Murphy 5
2. Nigel Dawes 3
3. Petr Straka 1

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Week 2 Days 8-14

Week 2, was much like week 1, with the Devils continuing to have problems scoring goals and continue to play .500 hockey backed by some strong goaltending performances. The Devils played in 4 games this week picking up a record of 2-2. The wins were against the Marlies and the Bruins, while the losses were against the Marlies and the Bruins.

This weeks third star is Nicklas Jensen



Jensen in his first campagn with the Devils has been used sparingly on the third line. Nicklas has bounced in and out of the lineup so far to start the season, but this week, the rookie appeared in 3 games picking up 2 goals and adding 0 assists for a total of 2 points. Jensen is considered a blue chip prospect for the Devils, but the team will have to be patient with the youngster.

This weeks second star is Mike Murphy.



Once again, Mike appeared in every minute for the team and has really shown management that he can be a workhorse moving forward this season. Mike had a 2-2 record, but had a impressive save percentage of .922 and a goals against average of 2.50.

This weeks first star is Matt Halischuk.



Matt, has seen a huge reduction in his roll with the team this year, as he finds himself on the third line this year after being on the top line for the two seasons following. This week, Matt continued to produce as the veteran seems to every year. Matt, appeared in all 4 games, picking up 3 goals and adding 1 assist for a total of 4 points.

Star Points
1. Mike Murphy 8 points
2. Matt Halischuk 5 points
3. Nigel Dawes 3 points
4. Petr Straka 1 point
5. Nicklas Jensen 1 point

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Week 3 Days 15-21

It was a very short week for the Devils as the team only played 2 games, posting a 1-0-1 record. Good news, the Devils finally climbed over the .500 mark this season. The Devils this week beat the Whale and played to a tie against the Sound Tigers.

This weeks third star is Petr Straka.



Fast start to the season, then did nothing for a week, but bounced back with another strong week, picking up 2 goals and adding 1 assists for a total of 3 points. Petr, is currenlty tied for the team lead in scoring.

This weeks second star is Rocco Grimaldi.



He has been battling the injury bug to start the season, but finally played a full week, yes, it was abreviated but it was a full week. The second line center picked up 1 goal and added another 3 assists for a total of 4 points. Grimaldi, is hard charging up the scoring ranks for the Albany Devils and the team desperately needs the offence.

This weeks first star is Mike Murphy.



Murphy is 3 for 3 to start the season is 3 star nominations as he has been nothing but phenomenal to start the season. Mike, has played every minute for the Devils so far this season. This week, Murphy obviously had a 1-0-1 record with his win coming via the shutout (his second of the season). Mike posted a goals against average of 0.96, with a save percentage of .959. It is tough to believe he did not go 2-0 this week with those numbers, but the offence just has not been clicking.

Star Points
1. Mike Murphy 13 points
2. Matt Halishcuk 5 points
3. Rocco Grimaldi 3 points
4. Nigel Dawes 3 points
5. Petr Straka 2 points
6. Nicklas Jensen 1 point

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Week 4 Days 22-28

It was a bit of a rough week for the Devils as the team found themselves on the losing end of a 5 game week. The Devils posted a 1-2-2 record this week, with the teams only win coming against the Bears. The Devils managed ties against the Sound Tigers and Penguins; and suffered defeats against the Whale and Americans both by shutout. The Devils find themselves holding onto a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but barely.

This weeks third star is Brandon Burlon.



He doesn't play a lot and when he does its on a third defence pairing or on the penalty kill, but Brandon did put up some numbers this week. Appearing in all 5 games, Burlon picked up 1 goal and added 1 assist for a total of 2 points for the set.

This weeks second star is Victor Rask.



Surprisingly slow start for Victor, but he did this last year as well. Rask has been consistent to start the year, but getting first line minutes and first unit PP time, the team wants to see him put up big offensive numbers. This week Rask picked up 1 goal and added 2 assists for a total of 3 points. Victor is in the top 4 in team scoring, but if far and away the most physical player on the Devils roster to start the season.

This weeks first star is Andrej Nestrasil.



The play of Nestrasil last season made very popular Zach Boychuk expendable. While Andrej still has not produced at a consistent level, the second line winger had a big week picking up 1 goal and adding 4 assists for a total of 5 points. Andrej is not scared to shoot the puck as he is second in shots on goal for the Devils, management just hopes that some of those shots start to find the back of the net on a more consistent basis.

Star Points
1. Mike Murphy 13
2. Andrej Nestrasil 5
3. Matt Halischuk 5
4. Rocco Grimaldi 3
5. Victor Rask 3
6. Nigel Dawes 3
7. Petr Straka 2
8. Nicklas Jensen 1
9. Brandon Burlon 1

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Week 5 Days 29-35

There was a lot of concern in Albany this week as starter Mike Murphy had to be sat due to fatigue, thus Cedrick Desjardins was going to carry the load for the bulk of the playing week. The Devils played in 6 games and surprised everyone by posting a 4-0-2 record, moving into 6th place in the Eastern Conference. The wins were against the Bulldogs x 2, Wolves and Ice Hogs. The ties were against the Penguins and Whale.

This weeks third star is Simon Danis-Pepin.



Off to a rough start this year, some might think that Simon was a little dissapointed not to be promoted to the big team this year. Pepin was mired in a terrible offensive slump but seems to have got off the shnide this week. Pepin appeared in all 6 games for the Devils picking up 1 goal and adding 5 assists for a total of 6 points. He has a lot of work to do if he wants to catch Marincin, but the Devils hope there is a race at the end between the two in points.

This weeks second star is Cedrick Desjardins.



Fear no more, Cedrick is ready to play. In fact, his numbers are better then Mike Murphys. This week, Cedric started 5 games for the Devils posting a 3-0-2 record. Desjardins had a goals against average of 1.91 with a save percentage of .926. The Devils may not just be playing Desjardins to rest Murphy, there could be a battle for the top spot between the pipes when Mike returns to the lineup.

This weeks first star is Rocco Grimaldi.



Well, the diminutive second line center is really starting to put his early season injury issues behind him. Rocco, appeared in all 6 games for the Devils and picked up 4 goals and added another 5 assists for a total of 9 points. Grimaldi, has taken over the scoring lead for the Devils and finds himself in the top 10 in scoring in the league now. Rocco, could be pushing for promotion to the top line.

Star Points
1. Mike Murphy 13
2. Rocco Grimaldi 8
3. Andrej Nestrasil 5
4. Matt Halischuk 5
5. Cedrick Desjardins 3
6. Victor Rask 3
7. Nigel Dawes 3
8. Petr Straka 2
9. Nicklas Jensen 1
10. Brandon Burlon 1
11. Simon Danis-Pepin 1

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Week 6 Days 36-42

The Devils continued there hot play in week 6. It was only a 3 game work week for Albany, but the Devils had a winning record going 2-1. The wins were against the Griffins and Whale, while the only set back came against the Checkers, which was an overtime defeat. The Devils have climbed all the way up to 4th place in the Eastern Conference.

This weeks third star is Cedrick Desjardins.



Cedric continues his hot play and continues his undefeated season this week. Desjardins played in both of the Devils wins and posted a goals against average of 2.00, with a save percentage of .922. Desjardins numbers are far better then #1 Mike Murphys. Desjardins would be amongst the league leaders in all goaltending categories if he had played enough games to qualify. If he continues his hot streak, he should qualify by the end of next week.

This weeks second star is Victor Rask.



The top line center must have heard the rumblings about a possible demotion to the second line. This week, Rask appeared in all 3 games for the Devils, posting 0 goals, but adding 4 assists for a total of 4 points. Victor, suddenly finds himself tied for second place on the Devils scoring with Petr Straka.

This weeks first star is David Ullstrom.



The third line center got off to an extremely slow start, much of which is because he is only getting third line minutes and PK time. Ullstrom is known as a streaky scorer and this week was one of those hot streaks. David appeared in all 3 games picking up 1 goal and adding 3 assists for a total of 4 points. Ullstrom is currently playing on a line with veteran Matt Halischuk and rookie Nicklas Jensen.

Star Points
1. Mike Murphy 13
2. Rocco Grimaldi 8
3. Victor Rask 6
4. Andrej Nestrasil 5
5. David Ullstrom 5
6. Cedrick Desjardins 4
7. Nigel Dawes 3
8. Petr Straka 2
9. Nicklas Jensen 1
10. Brandon Burlon 1
11. Simon Danis-Pepin 1

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Week 7 Days 43-49

Unlike the pro team, the Albany Devils are exceeding expectations. The Devils were expected to fight for a playoff spot, but the team is red hot and is fighting for first place in there division. The Devils are currently sitting in 4th place in the conference, tied with the Sound Tigers for third place, who have the tie breaker due to wins. This week, the Devils only played 3 games, winning all of them against the Pirates, the Penguins and the Stars.

This weeks third star is Andrej Nestrasil.



The second line right winger continues his hot play and is currently tied for fourth place in team scoring. This week Nestrasil played in all 3 games picking up 0 goals but adding 5 assists for a total of 5 points for the week. Nestrasil and his new linemate Matt Puempel have really jelled with center Rocco Grimaldi, giving the Devils a good 1-2 punch in scoring lines.

This weeks second star is Victor Rask.



The #1 center has been nothing but phenomenal over the last month. Rask, who is currently tied for second in team scoring, played in all 3 games this week, picking up 2 goals and adding 3 assists for a total of 5 points. The points are great, but Rask's physical play has not gone unnoticed by the big club. A call up could be coming for the Albany Devils top center at the half way point in the season.

This weeks first star is Matt Puempel.



The team has been patient with Puempel and he seems to have found good chemistry on the second line. The top line is not having much production at the left wing position, so Puempel could find himself playing on the top line if his production continues. This week, Matt picked up 3 goals and added 2 assists for a total of 5 points.

Star Points
1. Mike Murphy 13
2. Victor Rask 9
3. Rocco Grimaldi 8
4. Andrej Nestrasil 6
5. David Ullstrom 5
6. Matt Puempel 5
7. Cedrick Desjardins 4
8. Nigel Dawes 3
9. Petr Straka 2
10. Nicklas Jensen 1
11. Brandon Burlon 1
12. Simon Danis-Pepin 1

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Week 8 Days 50-56

Another big week for the Devils see's the club move into second place in the Eastern Conference. The Devils went 4-1-1 in a big 6 game week. The Devils beat the Penguins x 3 and the Griffins. The only loss was to the Penguins with the draw coming agaisnt the Rivermen. A couple of streaks were snapped. The first being Cedrick Desjardins unbeaten streak which ends at 12 games to start the year. Also ending was Rocco Grimaldi's point scoring streak which was snapped at 18 games.

This weeks third star is Andrej Nestrasil.



What a difference a season makes and what a difference new linemates make. Nestrasil who is playing on the second line with Rocco Grimaldi and Nikita Kucherov has been on fire over the last couple of weeks, vaulting his way into second place in team scoring for the Devils. This week, Andrej appeared in all 6 games picking up 3 goals and adding 3 assists for a total of 6 points.

This weeks second star is Cedrick Desjardins.



Cedrick is not making it easy for Mike Murphy to get action in the nets. Desjardins numbers are out of this world to start and the team is holding true to there word that he will have to faulter before Murphy gets back in the nets. This week Desjardins appeared in 5 games picking up a record of 3-1-1, with one of the wins coming via the shutout. This week, Cedrick had a goals against average of 1.95 with a save percentage of .929. Cedrick is 2nd place in the league in goals against average and save percentage for the season.

This weeks first star is Rocco Grimaldi.



The consecutive point streak may have ended, but the numbers were fantastic this week. Rocco, played in all 6 games for the Devils picking up 3 goals and adding 6 assists for a total of 9 points. Grimaldi is leading the team in scoring and is in the top 10 for scoring in the league.

Star Points
1. Mike Murphy 13
2. Rocco Grimaldi 13
3. Victor Rask 9
4. Andrej Nestrasil 7
5. Cedrick Desjardins 7
6. David Ullstrom 5
7. Matt Puempel 5
8. Nigel Dawes 3
9. Petr Straka 2
10. Nicklas Jensen 1
11. Brandon Burlon 1
12. Simon Danis-Pepin 1

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Week 9 Days 57-63

The junior Devils keep rolling along. The club had another succesful week going 3-1 in 4 games. The team is second in the Eastern Conference in points, unfortunantly the Sound Tiger are first. Because the Devils are in the same division, the team still sits in 4th place in the Eastern Conference. This week the wins came against the Ice Hogs, Wolves and Griffins, with the only set back coming against the Ice Hogs.

This weeks third star is Matt Puempel.



Matts entire line has been promoted from 2nd to 1st and the points keep on coming. This week, Puempel picked up 1 goal and added another 3 assists for a total of 4 points. Puempel, is starting to surge his way up the scoring ranks in Albany.

This weeks second star is Rocco Grimaldi.



Playing against the top lines has not slowed down Rocco, as he appeared in all 4 games picking up 3 goals and adding another 2 assists for a total of 5 points. Rocco continues to lead the team in scoring by a wide margin and does not appear to be slowing down.

This weeks first star is Nikita Kucherov.



Nikita has been demoted to the second line. With less responsibility, Nikita finally appears to be ready to reach his offensive potential. In 4 games this week, Nikita picked up 2 goals and added another 4 assists for a total of 6 points.

Star Points
1. Rocco Grimaldi 16
2. Mike Murphy 13
3. Victor Rask 9
4. Andrej Nestrasil 7
5. Cedric Desjardins 7
6. Matt Puempel 6
7. Nikita Kucherov 5
8. David Ullstrom 5
9. Nigel Dawes 3
10. Petr Straka 2
11. Nicklas Jensen 1
12. Brandon Burlon 1
13. Simon Danis-Pepin 1