USHL Honors - Week 25

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 25th week of the 2010-11 USHL regular season.

Congratulations to forward John Gaudreau of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, named CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Jordan Schmaltz of the Sioux City Musketeers, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and C.J. Motte of the Waterloo Black Hawks who earned honors as the Reebok USHL Goaltender of the Week.

Gaudreau scored seven points (4g, 3a) and posted a plus-three rating in leading the Saints to three victories and a playoff berth. He had a hand in all three goals (2g, 1a) in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Chicago. The 17-year-old scored the first goal of the game and assisted on another, plus added a shootout tally, in the 4-3 shootout win vs. Team USA on Friday. Gaudreau completed the week with his third straight multi-point game as he collected two points (1g, 1a) in the first period of the 4-3 win over Green Bay on Saturday. The forward from Carneys Point, New Jersey is playing in his first USHL season and leads the League with 34 goals. He is currently riding a five-game goal streak (6g).

Schmaltz recorded three points (1g, 2a) and a plus-three rating as the Musketeers earned three of four points in the standings. He was a plus-one to help his team earn a point in Friday's 2-1 overtime loss to Indiana, the USHL's highest scoring team. The 17-year-old defenseman equaled a USHL career high when he collected three points (1g, 2a) in the 8-4 win over Muskegon on Saturday. Schmaltz is a native of Verona, Wisconsin and is currently tied for fourth among USHL defensemen in scoring with 28 points (8g, 20a) in 44 games played. He has posted an even-or-better plus/minus in each of the last six games (+6).

Motte allowed just two goals and posted a .971 save percentage over two starts for the Black Hawks during the weekend. He made 32 saves in the 4-1 win over Team USA on Friday, including 16 saves in the second period alone. The 19-year-old netminder then made 36 saves in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Omaha. He narrowly missed his fourth shutout of the season as Omaha scored with under three minutes to play in the third period. The native of St. Clair, Michigan has earned 12 of the 19 wins for the Black Hawks this season. He has allowed one goal or less in four of his last six appearances and is currently tied for fifth among USHL goaltenders with a .920 SV%.

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