Berra Named CCM/AHL Player of Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The American Hockey League announced Monday that Springfield Thunderbirds goaltender Reto Berra has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 13, 2016.

Berra made two starts last week and allowed only one goal on 52 shots, good for a 0.50 goals-against average and a .981 save percentage.

On Friday night, Berra turned aside 20 shots – allowing only a power-play goal with 1:21 remaining in regulation – as Springfield took a 3-1 decision from St. John’s at the MassMutual Center. Then on Saturday, Berra made 31 saves in posting his third shutout of the young season, a 4-0 blanking of Binghamton on the road.

A native of Bulach, Switzerland, Berra has a record of 5-2-0 in seven appearances for Springfield this season, ranking third in the AHL with a 1.72 goals-against average, fourth with a .934 save percentage and tied for first with three shutouts. Berra is in his fourth season of pro hockey in North America after beginning his career in Switzerland, and is 19-13-1 with a 2.77 GAA, a .910 save percentage and three shutouts in 37 career AHL games with Springfield, San Antonio, Lake Erie and Abbotsford. He is also one of 11 goaltenders in AHL history to score a goal (Jan. 16, 2015).

Originally drafted by St. Louis in 2006, Berra was acquired by the Florida Panthers in a trade with Colorado on June 23, 2016. He has made 64 NHL appearances with Calgary and Colorado (19-30-4, 2.82, .906, three shutouts) in his career.

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

The Thunderbirds will next prepare for a three-game week that features a Wednesday night tilt in Hartford against the Wolf Pack. From there, the Thunderbirds visit the Utica Comets on Friday before returning home for the first matchup of the season with the Providence Bruins on Saturday, Nov. 19. The night marks a doubleheader featuring a special game involving the Boston Bruins Alumni Team. The Bruins alumni game kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET with the Thunderbirds game to follow at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Fans can get into both the Bruins Alumni game and the Thunderbirds game with a purchase of a Thunderbirds game ticket. Packages are available by visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.

Interested in being part of the next era of AHL hockey in Springfield? Springfield Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships start as low as $12 per game and feature the most exclusive benefits, including a commemorative jersey. For more information, fans may call the Thunderbirds ticket office at (413) 739-GOAL (4625).