GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Griffins center Francis Pare (PAIR-ay) has been named the Reebok/American Hockey League Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 21, the league announced on Monday.

Pare tied for the AHL high with seven points (3-4—7) and a plus-seven rating in four games last week, while also tying for second in the league in goals and fourth in assists. The 21-year-old rookie, who was named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s MVP last season, was a key factor as the Griffins won four games in five nights to claim sole possession of second place in the North Division.

After scoring a power play goal in last Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Syracuse, Pare contributed a pair of points in all three weekend victories. He earned Third Star honors with two assists and a plus-three rating in Friday’s 6-3 win over Milwaukee, then figured in both goals with a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against the Admirals. The Lemoyne, Quebec, native capped off the week with another goal and assist in Sunday’s 6-0 triumph at Rochester, his second straight plus-two performance.

Pare has averaged nearly a point per game for the season (7-7—14 in 15 contests) and is currently tied for the team lead with a plus-nine rating, despite having played in only half of the Griffins’ 30 games thus far.

Pare becomes the first Griffin in 22 months to win the AHL’s Player of the Week award (Matt Ellis, Feb. 19, 2007) and the second this season to earn an individual honor from the league (Justin Abdelkader, Reebok Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month for October).

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