Amerks Whitmore named AHL Player of Week
By: John Kucko
Updated: November 28, 2011
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ... The American Hockey League announced today that Rochester Americans left wing Derek Whitmore has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 27, 2011.
Whitmore scored five goals and compiled a plus-3 rating in two games for the Americans, who maintained their hold on second place in the North Division.
Whitmore recorded a big insurance goal late in the third period of Friday's 4-2 win over Albany, but saved his biggest performance for Saturday's contest against Hamilton. Whitmore scored twice in the first 1:53 of the game, and then twice more in the third period to break a 3-3 tie as Rochester grabbed a 5-3 decision over the Bulldogs.
Whitmore became the first Amerks player to score four goals in a game since Jason Pominville netted five vs. Cleveland on Oct. 21, 2005.
A native of the Rochester suburb of Greece, N.Y., Whitmore leads the Americans with 10 goals and 16 points and is tied for the team lead among forwards with a plus-8 rating in 20 games this season. The fourth-year pro signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Sabres on Mar. 26, 2008, and has registered 67 goals and 53 assists for 120 points in 263 career AHL games with Rochester and Portland.
In recognition of his achievement, Whitmore will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Americans home game.
