Nättinen named Reebok/AHL Player of the Week
Centreman scored four goals for the Bulldogs this week
Hamilton Bulldogs’ Press Release
February 20, 2012
SPRINGFIELD, MA – The American Hockey League announced today that Hamilton Bulldogs center Joonas Nättinen has been selected as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, February 19th, 2012.
Nättinen, 21, recorded four goals and one assist to help the Bulldogs to three consecutive victories this past week.
After scoring two goals in his first 36 games of the season, Nättinen quickly matched that total against the St. John’s IceCaps on Friday, February 17th, 2012, scoring twice in the first 4:22 of the game and adding an assist later in the first period as Hamilton defeated the league-leading IceCaps, 4-3. Nättinen scored again the next night as the Bulldogs rallied for a 5-2 win over the Rockford IceHogs, and his goal against the Rochester Americans on Sunday, February 19th, 2012 gave Hamilton the lead for good in what would be a 7-3 victory.
The native of Jamsa, Finland now has 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 39 games for the Bulldogs this season, his first campaign in North America. Nattinen was drafted in the third-round (65th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in 2009, and has represented Finland at the 2009 and 2010 World Junior Championships.
In recognition of his achievement, Nättinen will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Bulldogs home game.
The Bulldogs’ next game will take place on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012, when they face the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m. at Van Andel Arena. The ‘Dogs will then travel to Montreal to take on the St. John’s IceCaps in a home game at the Bell Centre on Friday, February 24th, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. All Hamilton Bulldogs games can be heard live on AM 820 CHAM or on hamiltonbulldogs.com, or seen live on ahllive.com beginning with the Pioneer Pre-Game Show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.