NEW YORK, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Vancouver Canucks defenseman Brent Sopel, who led the NHL with a plus/minus rating of plus-10, was named NHL Player of the Week Monday.
Sopel recorded seven points (four goals, three assists) in four games, including the game-winner in a 2-0 victory against Calgary on Saturday. He was instrumental in helping the Canucks extend their winning streak to five games.
In his fourth NHL season, the 25-year-old Calgary native has recorded 17 points in 38 games. Sopel is the top scoring defenseman in the league since the Christmas break, the span he recorded all his points and a plus-23 rating.
Sopel edged out Pittsburgh Penguins center Mario Lemieux and right wing Alexei Morozov, and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
