The American Hockey League announced today that Syracuse Crunch goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week . (Photo/Susan Ferlita)
Here’s the release from the AHL:
Vasilevskiy allowed one goal on 56 shots in earning victories in both of his starts last week, good for a 0.50 goals-against average and a .982 save percentage.
On Wednesday night, Vasilevskiy led the Crunch into Springfield and turned aside all 26 shots he faced in a 2-0 victory, snapping the Falcons’ franchise-record winning streak at 11 games. Then on Friday, Vasilevskiy made 29 saves to help Syracuse past Hershey, 4-1, the sixth time in his last eight starts allowing no more than one goal.
Tampa Bay’s first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Vasilevskiy has compiled a record of 8-3-3 in 14 appearances with Syracuse this season, with a 2.34 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and two shutouts. The 20-year-old rookie from Tyumen, Russia, spent last season with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL and helped Russia to medals at the 2012 (silver), 2013 (bronze) and 2014 (bronze) World Junior Championships as well as gold at the 2014 World Championships.
In recognition of his achievement, Vasilevskiy will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Crunch home game.
The news was announced in the Syracuse Crunch locker room on Monday after practice. Vasilevskiy told Syracuse.com his reaction to his teammates enthusiastically cheering his accomplishment:
Taken by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2012 NHL draft, Vasilevskiy is in his first professional season in North America. The rookie has an 8-3-3 record with a 2.34 GAA and .918 save percentage this season in Syracuse.
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