WINTHROP, Mass. – Niagara freshman Derian Plouffe won co-Travel Team USA Rookie of the Week honors after turning in a goal and an assist last weekend as the Purple Eagles faced-off against the RIT Tigers.
 
He opened the scoring in Friday's game by fighting off a defender in front of the net and tipping a Keegan Harper shot from the point into the top right corner of the net. He added the first assist of his career on Saturday to cap a nice play to tie the game at 1-1. He took a drop pass from Chris Lochner and held the puck until a window opened up to get the puck to Phillip Nasca who was crashing the far side. He now sits one away from a tie for the team-lead with four goals on the year.
 
His four goals through 14 games this season rank him second on the team while his five points have him in fifth. Plouffe is the second Purple Eagle to take home the Rookie of the Week award; Robert Angiolella won the award on Nov. 25.
 
The Purple Eagles will have a break for the holidays and will be back on the ice when they travel to Sacred Heart on  for a two-game set on Jan. 2-3. They return home on Jan. 22 and 24 when they host Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius. For ticket information, contact the Niagara Ticket Office at 716-286-8499.