Stastny Named NHL's Player Of The Week

Colorado Avalanche forward and DU Alum Paul Stastny was named the NHL's First Star of the Week on Monday for the week ending October 7. After opening the season with a hat trick against Dallas, the second-year center recorded a career-best five points on Sunday (Oct. 7) against San Jose.

“They could have given it to a lot of guys, so it’s a nice honor,” said Stastny. “Our team is working hard and creating chances. Sometimes the bounces just go your way and right now we’re getting some of those bounces.”

On Tuesday, Stastny sat down for a conference call with NHL media members to discuss his early-season success and his experience growing up in a family with deep roots in the game of hockey.

Click here to read a transcript of Stastny's conference call at LetsGoDU2. Its a good interview.

FIRST STAR – PAUL STASTNY, C, COLORADO AVALANCHE
The 21-year-old Stastny led all scorers for the week with four goals, four assists and eight points as the Avalanche posted two wins in three starts. In the season opener in Denver Oct. 3 Stastny recorded a hat trick as the Avalanche defeated the Dallas Stars, 4-3. The next night in Nashville, Stasny was held off the scoresheet as the Predators shut out Colorado, 4-0. Stastny finished the week by recording one goal and four assists in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Stastny was the runner-up to Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year last season.