Leafs defenseman T.J. Brennan named AHL player of the week

Toronto Marlies defenseman T.J. Brennan was named the AHL's player of the week on Monday. His club won both of their first two games this season, with Brennan playing a central role in both victories.

The mobile veteran defenseman recorded his first career AHL hat-trick on Saturday afternoon to help power the Marlies past the Grand Rapids Griffins. Brennan has six points and four goals from the blue-line in Toronto's first two contests.

With Leafs defensemen Mark Fraser on the shelf, and Morgan Reilly only able to play in eight more games before the Toronto Maple Leafs have to decide whether or not to burn a year of his entry-level deal, Brennan could well factor in at the NHL level this season.