SPRINGFIELD, MA - The American Hockey League announced today that Bridgeport Sound Tigers center Casey Cizikas has been selected as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 29, 2012.
In three games last week, Cizikas notched four goals and five assists for nine points along with a plus-5 rating as the Sound Tigers moved into first place in the Northeast Division on the strength of a 10-0-0-1 run.
Cizikas scored two goals and added an assist on Jan. 25 as Bridgeport rallied from 3-1 down in the third period to earn a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to St. John’s. He tallied a goal and two assists to help the Sound Tigers to a 6-2 win at Adirondack on Jan. 27, and potted a goal and two assists – all in the third period – to help Bridgeport to a 5-4 shootout win in Syracuse on Jan. 28.
Cizikas, who finished the week by representing the Sound Tigers in the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic, has scored a goal in five straight games (6-6-12) and has points in 12 of his last 13 contests (9-11-20).
A first-year pro from Toronto, Cizikas is tied for third among all AHL rookies in scoring with 38 points this season, totaling 14 goals and 24 assists in 44 games with Bridgeport, and leads all AHL forwards with a plus-20 rating. The 20-year-old Cizikas was a fourth-round draft choice by the New York Islanders in 2009 and is coming off four seasons of junior hockey with Mississauga St. Michael’s (OHL).
Cizikas is the second Sound Tiger to receive the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week award this month. Goaltender Kevin Poulin earned the honor for the week of Jan. 2 - Jan. 8 after posting a 4-0-0 record including three straight shutouts.
In recognition of his achievement, Cizikas will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Sound Tigers home game.
Be sure the follow @TheSoundTigers on Twitter and "Like" The Official Bridgeport Sound Tigers Fan Site on Facebook. For information on group outings to a Sound Tigers game or full and partial season ticket plans, call the Sound Tigers at (203) 345-2300 or e-mail info@soundtigers.com
