CHICAGO – The United States Hockey League today announced the CCM Hockey player awards for the 24th week of the 2014-15 USHL regular season.
Winners include Kyle Connor of the Youngstown Phantoms, named CCM Forward of the Week; Carson Vance of the Chicago Steel, named CCM Defenseman of the Week; and Ben Blacker of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, selected as CCM Goaltender of the Week.
Kyle Connor, F, Youngstown Phantoms: The 18-year-old recorded seven points (3g, 4a) to lead the Phantoms to a two-game weekend sweep of the Sioux Falls Stampede and extend the winning streak for Youngstown to 12 games. He established a USHL career high with five points (2g, 3a) in Friday’s 7-3 victory, which included scoring the game-winning goal. Connor then produced his third straight multi-point game with two points (1g, 1a) in Saturday’s 6-2 win. He is now the USHL scoring leader with 61 points (25g, 36a) through 45 games this season, and he ranks tied for third overall with 36 assists. The Shelby Township, Michigan native is a product of the Belle Tire youth hockey program and is committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Michigan. He is also a top prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft.
Carson Vance, D, Chicago Steel: After being acquired by the Steel earlier in the week, the defenseman dished out four assists and posted a plus-four rating to lead his new team to three wins in three days. Making his debut with Chicago on Friday, he assisted on the game-winning goal in the 2-1 overtime victory against the Omaha Lancers. He then dished out two assists in Saturday’s 4-3 win over the Dubuque Fighting Saints. It was the first multi-point game of his USHL career. Vance finished the weekend with an assist on the game-winning goal in Sunday’s 2-1 win against Dubuque. The 19-year-old native of Tempe, Arizona is a product of the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes youth program. He spent the last two seasons playing in the NAHL and has yet to make a college hockey commitment.
Ben Blacker, G, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: The goaltender allowed just one goal over two games, posting a 0.48 goals-against-average and .983 save percentage to lead the RoughRiders to a pair of victories. He made 35 saves and then stopped all three attempts he faced in the shootout of Friday’s 2-1 win over the Madison Capitols. Blacker followed up by stopping all 24 shots in the 5-0 victory against the Green Bay Gamblers to record his second shutout of the season. It was also his 20th win of the year, tied for third-most among USHL goaltenders. His .920 SV% overall is also tied for third in the League while his 2.58 GAA ranks eighth. The 17-year-old from Oakville, Ontario came to the USHL after spending last season with the Milton Icehawks (OJHL). He is committed to play college hockey at Western Michigan University.
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