USHL Honors - Week 23

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 23rd week of the 2011-12 USHL regular season.

Award winners include forward Alex Gacek of the Youngstown Phantoms, named recipient of CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Eric Sweetman of the Youngstown Phantoms, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Jake Hildebrand of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Jon Gillies of the Indiana Ice who share honors as Reebok Goaltender of the Week.

Gacek scored five points (2g, 3a) to lead the Phantoms to a pair of victories. He capped Youngstown’s five-goal second period on Friday during the 6-3 win over Team USA. The 18-year-old then produced a USHL career high four points (1g, 3a) in Saturday’s 6-1 victory against Team USA. Gacek also posted a career high plus-four rating in the game. The Dracut, Massachusetts native has had a breakout season during his second USHL campaign with 27 points (13g, 14a) and a plus-18 rating while appearing in all 47 games for the team. He has scored six of his goals over the last nine games.

Sweetman recorded two points (1g, 1a) and posted a plus-five rating over two victories for the Phantoms. He scored a shorthanded goal and dished out an assist in Saturday’s 6-1 win against Team USA. The 18-year-old also equaled a season high with a plus-four rating during the contest. It is the second time this season that Sweetman has earned weekly defensive honors in the USHL. He has appeared in all 47 games for the Phantoms this season and posted 10 points (3g, 7a) with a plus-12 rating, which includes a plus-seven rating during the team’s current three-game win streak.

Hildebrand posted a 1.50 goals-against-average and .962 save percentage while in net for two road victories for the RoughRiders. He stopped 37 shots in Friday’s 5-2 victory to snap Lincoln’s six-game home winning streak. The 18-year-old then made 39 saves, including 18 in the third period, during the 4-1 win against Tri-City on Saturday. Hildebrand has won each of his last four starts, his second four-game win streak of the season, and now has 15 victories this year. The native of Butler, Pennsylvania has won 24 games over three seasons in the USHL.

Gillies compiled a 1.02 GAA and .970 SV% in two road starts for the Ice. He stopped all 29 shots he faced in Friday’s 7-0 victory against Chicago before leaving the contest late in the third period. The 18-year-old then made 35 saves in the 3-2 win over League-leading Green Bay on Saturday. It was the 25th win of the season for Gillies which is tied for the USHL lead. The South Portland, Maine native is currently second among USHL goaltenders this season with a .920 SV% while ranking fourth with a 2.59 GAA. It is the third time he has earned the weekly League honor this season.

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