BOYCHUK NAMED REEBOK/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Forward records five goals, five assists to help Checkers go 3-0-0-1

The American Hockey League announced today that Checkers forward Zach Boychuk has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Mar. 27, 2011.

Boychuk scored five goals, including two game-winning tallies, and recorded five assists for 10 points in four games as the Checkers went 3-0-0-1 and closed in on a playoff berth in the East Division.

The former first-round pick of Carolina scored two power-play goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist as Charlotte defeated Adirondack, 5-2, on Tuesday. He scored again in a 3-2 shootout loss against the Whale in Connecticut Friday, and added another game-winning goal and two assists in Saturday's 5-4 win over Portland. Boychuk then capped the week off with a goal and two assists in the Checkers’ 8-2 win over Norfolk on Sunday.

In recognition of his achievement, Boychuk will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Checkers home game.

The Airdrie, Alberta native has recorded 22 goals and a team-high 37 assists (59 points) in 55 games with the Checkers this season. He has also added four goals and three assists (7 points) in 23 NHL contests with the Hurricanes.

The Checkers (41-25-2-7) go on the road for two games next weekend and will return home to host the Admirals on Monday, Apr. 4.

For every new ‘like’ the Checkers get on their Facebook page between now and Apr. 1, the team will donate $2 to Zach Bennett and his family, who plan to move to Charlotte for better medical care and to be closer to the team. Visit www.gocheckers.com or head to www.facebook.com/charlottecheckers.

Notes: Zach Boychuk has 10 points (5g, 5a) in the last four games...Chris Terry has seven goals in the last eight games and is now one goal shy of the league lead…Matt Pistilli's goal seven seconds into the second period was the quickest goal to start a period this season for Charlotte…Jacob Micflikier has netted multiple points in three of the last four games.