This week's BP Prospect of the Week award goes to … Alex Killorn, Norfolk Admirals (AHL).
Norfolk fans were thanking the heavens for Alex Killorn last week as the pre-rookie pro (he's on a tryout contract after finishing at Harvard) scored the overtime winner for the Admirals to clinch their first round Calder Cup series against Manchester.
Killorn, a First Team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association, had four points in two games last week. On Wednesday, he had two assists as Norfolk beat Manchester 5-2 on the road to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-5 series. Then on Friday, he had the primary assist on Evan Oberg's first period goal that tied the game at one goal apiece. Killorn carried the puck into the zone on the play, retrieved the rebound of his own shot, then protected the puck along the boards before feeding it to Oberg on the blueline. Oberg's point shot found it's way through goaltender Jeff Zatkoff and into the net.
On his overtime winner, Killorn followed up an outstanding individual effort by teammate Alex Picard, who had escaped a check on the wall to create a 2 on 1 down low on Zatkoff. His pass was blocked by a sliding defenseman, but Killorn was there to deposit the puck into the upper portion of the net to send the Admirals on to the second round with a 4-3 win.
Killorn, who looks pro ready now and is ranked the organization's top prospect by Bolt Prospects, could be a serious contender for a spot on the Lightning next season. He needs some professional seasoning, which he's getting right now for Norfolk. Technically, he's not a professional rookie until next year when his entry contract kicks in.
The former Harvard star has six points in four playoff games so far – all coming in the last three contests.