USHL Honors - Week 24

Press Release

 The United States Hockey League announced the CCM and Reebok player awards for the 24th week of the 2012-13 USHL regular season.

Award winners include J.T. Compher and Anthony Louis of Team USA’s Under-18 Team, who have been named co-recipients of CCM Forward of the Week; Michael Brodzinski from the Muskegon Lumberjacks, selected as CCM Defenseman of the Week; and Richard Ullberg of the Green Bay Gamblers, who takes home honors as Reebok Goaltender of the Week.

J.T. Compher, F, Team USA: The Northbrook, IL native had a stellar weekend, posting seven points (2g, 5a) and plus-six on-ice rating over two games.  On Friday, Compher established a USHL career high when he dished out three assists in Team USA’s 5-2 win over the Indiana Ice.  The second-year forward exploded for a pair of goals and two more assists to lead Team USA to an 8-5 win and weekend sweep of Indiana.  Compher, 17, also finished Saturday’s game with a plus-five rating.  The University of Michigan commit is currently riding a three-game point streak, amassing eight points (2g, 6a) over that span.  He is second on the team in scoring with 17 points (4g, 13a) in 14 games played against USHL competition, and his 13 assists are a team best.

Anthony Louis, F, Team USA: The second-year forward was a key piece to both of Team USA’s wins over Indiana this weekend, registering seven points (4g, 3a) while posting a plus-six on-ice rating. On Friday, the Winfield, IL native scored a goal in each period, including the game-winner, and handed out an assist in Team USA’s 5-2 win over Indiana. It was the first hat trick of his USHL career and fifth multi-goal effort.  The 18-year-old added three more points (1g, 2a) on Saturday in the 8-5 win against Indiana.  His goal held up to be the game-winner and he finished the night with a plus-four on-ice rating.  Louis, who is committed to Miami University, leads Team USA with 18 points (10g, 8a) in 17 USHL games and is also the team leader in goals.

Michael Brodzinski, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks: The rookie defenseman recorded a pair of goals and added three assists over three games played this weekend.  He dished out a pair of assists in Muskegon’s 5-2 loss to the Lincoln Stars on Friday night.  He also finished with a game high plus-two on-ice rating.  On Saturday night, the 17-year-old from Ham Lake, MN scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and handed out an assist in the Lumberjacks’ 6-3 win on the road against the Tri-City Storm.  The University of Minnesota commit leads the team, and is fifth in the USHL, in defenseman scoring with 29 points (14g, 15a).  His 14 goals are tops amongst League defensemen and he is fifth overall on the Lumberjacks in that category.

Richard Ullberg, G, Green Bay Gamblers: The Sipoo, Finland native was in goal for two of the three wins by the Gamblers this weekend, posting a 2-0-0 record and recording a 3.00 goals against average and .901 save percentage.  He made 27 saves in Friday’s 4-2 win over Team USA’s Under-17 squad.  He put together another solid performance on Sunday, turning aside 28 to backstop Green Bay to a 6-4 win over the Youngstown Phantoms.  In 11 games since joining the Gamblers, Ullberg has posted an 8-3-0 record with a 2.85 GAA and a .910 SV%.  The 19-year-old has allowed three goals or fewer in six of his wins and has made 25 or more saves on seven occasions.  

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)