Tuesday, February 21, 2012

USHL Honors - Week 21

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 21st week of the 2011-12 USHL regular season.

Award winners include forward Kenny Brooks of the Tri-City Storm, named recipient of CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defensemen Chris Joyaux of the Chicago Steel and J.D. Peterson of the Tri-City Storm, selected as co-winners of CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Alex Sakellaropoulos of the Chicago Steel who earned honors as Reebok Goaltender of the Week.

Brooks scored four points (3g, 1a) over two wins for the Storm. He dished out his 19th assist of the season, second most on the team, during Friday’s 5-2 win against Sioux Falls. The 20-year-old then recorded his first USHL hat trick in Saturday’s 8-3 victory over Lincoln. Brooks scored his three goals in a span of less than 20 minutes of game action. The native of Las Vegas, Nevada is second on the Storm in scoring this season with 33 points (14g, 19a) while appearing in all 43 games for the team. The third-year USHL forward is one game shy of 150 regular season games for his career.

Joyaux recorded three points (1g, 2a) and a plus-four rating while helping the Steel earn three wins in three days. He assisted on the first goal of the game in Friday’s 4-2 victory over Youngstown. The 19-year-old from Bloomingdale, Illinois then scored his first USHL career shorthanded goal in Saturday’s 5-1 win against Muskegon. He closed out the week dishing out an assist in the 5-2 win against Cedar Rapids on Sunday. Joyaux is playing in his second full USHL season and has collected 17 points (4g, 13a) through 40 games this season.

Peterson collected three points (1g, 2a) and posted a plus-four rating in two victories for the Storm. He assisted on his team’s first goal of the game in Friday’s 5-2 win against Sioux Falls. The defenseman also finished the contest with a game high plus-four rating. He scored the game-winning goal, his second career USHL goal, in Saturday’s 8-3 victory over Lincoln. Peterson is a 20-year-old native of Orange, California and has registered 11 points (2g, 9a) while appearing in all 43 games for the Storm this season.

Sakellaropoulos posted a 2.00 goals-against-average and a .931 save percentage during two wins for the Steel. He stopped 29 shots in Friday’s 4-2 win against Youngstown. The 17-year-old from nearby Tinley Park, Illinois then made 26 saves in the 5-2 victory over Cedar Rapids on Sunday. The rookie USHL goaltender has earned all six of his victories this season over his last eight appearances, compiling a 1.64 GAA and .948 SV% over those six wins.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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