Hamilton Bulldogs / American Hockey League Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS – The American Hockey League announced today that Hamilton Bulldogs goaltender Dustin Tokarski has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 24th, 2013.
Tokarski stopped 98 of the 100 shots he faced in three starts last week (3-0-0, 0.67 goals-against average, .980 save percentage, one shutout), helping the Bulldogs pull into a tie for first place in the AHL’s North Division.
On Tuesday night, Tokarski made 30 saves in Hamilton’s 5-1 victory over the visiting Texas Stars (AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars). At the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, he turned aside 25 of 26 shots and was named the game’s first star as the Bulldogs defeated the Syracuse Crunch (AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning), 4-1. And in Saturday’s rematch with the Crunch back in Syracuse, Tokarski stymied his former teammates with 43 saves – the most by a goaltender in a shutout this season – to lead the Bulldogs to a 3-0 victory.
For the season, Tokarski (8-3-1) ranks second in the AHL in both goals-against average (1.91) and save percentage (.935), allowing two goals or fewer in 12 of his 14 appearances.
Tokarski has appeared in 208 career AHL games with the Norfolk Admirals, Syracuse Crunch and Hamilton Bulldogs over his five professional seasons, compiling a record of 112-75-12 with a 2.42 goal-against average, a .912 save percentage and 18 shutouts. The 24-year-old native of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, won a Calder Cup Championship with Norfolk in 2012 and is 14-6 (1.67 goals-against average, .937 save percentage) in 20 career post-season contests. Originally drafted by Tampa Bay in 2008, Tokarski was acquired by the Montreal Canadiens in a trade with the Lightning on February 14th, 2013, and has made seven career appearances in the National Hockey League.
In recognition of his achievement, Tokarski will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bulldogs home game.
Hamilton’s next game is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27th, when they travel to Rochester, New York to face the Rochester Americans (AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres) at 7:05 p.m. The Bulldogs will return to Copps Coliseum on Friday, November 29th when they will host the Toronto Marlies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) at 7:30 p.m. Friday’s game will be broadcast live in high definition on Cable 14.