CHICAGO – The United States Hockey League today announced the CCM Hockey player awards for the 18th week of the 2014-15 USHL regular season.
Winners include Robert Carpenter of the Sioux City Musketeers, named CCM Forward of the Week; Christian Wolanin of the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Neal Pionk of the Sioux City Musketeers, recognized as co-recipients of the CCM Defenseman of the Week; and Cale Morris of the Waterloo Black Hawks, selected as the CCM Goaltender of the Week.
Robert Carpenter, F, Sioux City Musketeers: The 2015 NHL Draft hopeful had an impressive night Sunday, racking up five points in the 6-2 Musketeers win. Carpenter’s stat line also included the eventual game-winning goal, his third this season. He also posted a +3 rating on the night and had two power play points, a goal and an assist. The Boston University commit skated the night before against Green Bay, scoring two points (1g 1a) in an impressive 4-1 victory. Carpenter now has 40 points (19g 21a) in 37 games this season, and is just one goal shy from his 25th career USHL goal, as well as one point shy from his 50th career USHL point. Carpenter has scored 11 points (6g 5a) in his last 5 games. This is Carpenter’s first full season in the USHL. He previously played for Austin Prep, and split time between the USPHL Islanders Hockey Club and the Sioux City Musketeers last season.
Christian Wolanin, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks: The USHL veteran continues to impress in his final USHL season. Wolanin’s 24 points (10g 14a) in 34 games ranks him third in scoring for USHL defensemen. Wolanin’s three-point week was instrumental in Muskegon’s three-game win streak as two of the Lumberjack’s three games were decided by just one goal. Wolanin’s lone assist on the week was on the game-winning goal against Fargo Saturday night as well. He currently is riding an eight-game scoring streak that includes scoring nine points (3g 6a) since January 3, 2015. Wolanin is committed to play at the University of North Dakota next season. He played for Little Caesars prior to joining the USHL.
Neal Pionk, D, Sioux City Musketeers: The veteran defenseman benefited from an offensive explosion Sunday night against Green Bay. Despite teammate Robert Carpenter scoring five points, Pionk was able to generate some offense of his own. His first period goal, assisted by Carpenter, came less than five minutes after Green Bay opened the scoring in the first period. Pionk went on to dish out two assists, both primary assists, on the power play in the second period. He finished the game with a +2 rating, 3 points (1g 2a) and 15 penalty minutes. Pionk currently leads all defensemen in the USHL with 21 assists this season. The University of Minnesota-Duluth commit previously played for Hermantown High in Hermantown, MN prior to joining the USHL last season for his first full season with the Musketeers.
Cale Morris, G, Waterloo Black Hawks: The newly acquired Black Hawks goaltender is a perfect 3-0-0 to begin his tenure in Waterloo. Morris was acquired via trade with the Chicago Steel just last week, and has since led the Black Hawks to three consecutive wins. On Friday night Morris faced his former Steel teammates and went on to stop 29 of 30 shots. Morris followed the emotional performance with a 25-save shutout Saturday night against the Des Moines Buccaneers. Morris has an impressive 0.67 GAA and .972 SV% to go along with his 3-0-0 record since joining Waterloo. The 18-year old netminder is currently uncommitted, and played for the Colorado Thunderbirds prior to advancing to the USHL last season.
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