SAAD NAMED THE CCM/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Winger tallied six points, two game-winners in Week 14

Springfield, Mass. - The American Hockey League announced today that Rockford IceHogs forward Brandon Saad has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 13, 2013.

A second-round draft choice (43rd overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011, Saad garnered six points (2g-4a) in three tilts during Week 14. In 31 contests with Rockford, the 20 year-old has accumulated 20 points (8g-12a) thus far on the campaign.

Held without a point in Wednesday’s tilt, the rookie winger tallied an IceHogs season-high four points (1g-3a), including the game-winning goal, in a 5-2 victory over Grand Rapids on Friday. The Pittsburgh, Penn. native came back on Saturday night with an assist and the game-winning goal just 52 seconds into overtime to lift Rockford to a 2-1 victory at Milwaukee.

Last season, Saad split time between the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. In 44 contests with Saginaw, Saad netted 34 goals and 42 assists and earned the William Hanley Trophy for being the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. The winger also appeared in two regular season games with the Blackhawks and two Stanley Cup Playoff tilts, notching his first NHL point, an assist, on April 21 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

During the 2009-10 season, Saad spent time with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-18 team and represented the United States at the 2012 World Junior Championships.

Saad is the second IceHogs skater this season to earn the CCM/AHL Player of the Week. Forward Kyle Beach also won the award for his achievements during Week 4 of the campaign.

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

Next Home Game: Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Beginning at 7:05 p.m. the IceHogs and Rivermen meet in an Illinois Lottery Cup Matchup and for the first time since Nov. 21 at the BMO Harris Bank Center. It marks the fourth of twelve meetings between the two foes on the campaign.