Tuesday, November 24, 2009

USHL Honors

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the eighth week of the 2009-10 USHL regular season.

Congratulations to Stephan Vigier of the Sioux City Musketeers, named Reebok Offensive Player of the Week; C.J. Ludwig of the Omaha Lancers, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Cab Morris of the Indiana Ice, who earned honors as the USHL Goaltender of the Week.

Vigier registered five points (4g, 1a) and a plus-three rating as the Sioux City Musketeers have extended their winning streak to four games. The 19-year-old forward scored the first goal of the game in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win vs. Sioux Falls. He then scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Friday's 3-1 win vs. Cedar Rapids. Vigier followed up by scoring a goal in his third straight game while also collecting an assist in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Youngstown. The native of Notre Dame, Manitoba is playing in his second USHL season and leads the Musketeers in scoring with 13 points (8g, 5a) through 16 games

Ludwig recorded three points (2g, 1a) and a plus-four rating as the Omaha Lancers picked up a pair of victories over the weekend. On Friday, the defenseman scored his first goal of the season, dished out an assist, and registered a game high plus-three rating in the 5-1 win over Des Moines. The following evening, he scored Omaha's first goal of the game which sparked a five-goal second period in the 6-1 win vs. Sioux Falls. The 19-year-old native of Little Elm, Texas is serving as co-captain during his second season for the Lancers and has collected seven points (2g, 5a) in 17 games while also leading the team with 55 penalty minutes.

Morris posted two victories, a 0.96 goals-against-average, and a .966 save percentage for the Indiana Ice. On Wednesday, the 18-year-old netminder stopped 31 shots through regulation and overtime before turning away all four shootout attempts by Cedar Rapids in the 3-2 victory for Indiana. The native of Wilmette, Illinois then made 26 saves to record his second shutout of the season as the Ice blanked Chicago 4-0 on Saturday. Playing in his first USHL season, Morris has won his last three starts and currently leads all USHL goaltenders with a .931 SV% and ranks second with a 1.85 GAA.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 31st season of junior hockey in 2009-10. With over 160 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 13 NHL Entry Draft picks currently on League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.

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

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