USHL Players of the Week

Press Release

Craig Smith Waterloo Black Hawks
Madison, Wisconsin
College: Wisconsin
NHL: Undrafted

Smith led the way as the surging Black Hawks extended their winning streak to seven games with three victories. On Tuesday, he scored a goal and had an assist in a 6-1 win at Sioux Falls. On Friday, he had another assist in a 6-0 win at Sioux City. Then on Saturday, he scored a hat trick in the second period and added an assist in a 7-4 win over Chicago. He had 11 shots on goal and was +6.

Honorable Mention - Danny Kristo (OMA), Andy Taranto (FAR), Kirt Hill (LIN)

Dan Sova Waterloo Black Hawks
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
College: Michigan Tech
NHL: Undrafted

Sova was instrumental in three Black Hawks victories last week, helping them keep their winning streak alive and clinching a berth in the Clark Cup Playoffs. He had a pair of assists in a 6-1 win at Sioux Falls on Tuesday. He picked up three more assists in a 6-0 win at Sioux City on Friday. He was held off the score sheet in Saturday's 7-4 win over Chicago. Sova finished the week +6.

Honorable Mention - Eamonn McDermott (FAR), Torey Krug (IND)

Parker Milner Waterloo Black Hawks
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
College: Uncommitted
NHL: Undrafted

Milner wins the league's goaltender award for the second straight week after backstopping all three of Waterloo's wins last week. On Tuesday he made 29 saves in a 6-1 win at Sioux Falls. Friday he picked up his third shutout of the season in a 6-0 win at Sioux City. Saturday night he made 32 saves in a 7-4 win over Chicago. For the week, Milner was 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals against average and a .952 save percentage.

Honorable Mention - Kevin Murdock (LIN), Mike Lee (FAR), Mike Johnson (CR)

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)