USPHL Premier Players Of The Week: Midwest Region

Week of Dec. 13-19, 2022

Great Lakes Division

(Submitted by Lexi Obrycki)

Forward: Cameron Reel, Toledo Cherokee

The center for the Toledo Cherokee, Reel (‘03/Owensboro, Ky.), came into the showcase with 10 goals and 18 assists in 21 games. Reel put on an impressive performance at his time in Chicago, scoring a hat trick, including a shorthanded goal vs. the Minnesota Blue Ox. Reel scored a goal in every game and finished with six goals and four assists for a total of 10 points in four games played, helping the Cherokee finish 3-1 on the weekend.

Defense: Josh German, Metro Jets 

Defenseman German (‘02/Canton, Mich.) played a key role this weekend for the Metro Jets as they finished an impressive 4-0 on the weekend. During their first game, German scored the game-winning goal against the Northern Colorado Eagles in a 2-0 win. He continued his dominant performance, tallying an additional goal at the showcase, posting a +3 rating, three blocked shots and two hits. 

Goaltender: Blake Mitchell, Cincinnati Cyclones

Mitchell (‘02/Liberty Township, Mich.) went 3-0 over the weekend, stopping 60 of 63 shots combined. In a 4-1 win against the Dells Ducks, Mitchell saved 21 of 22 shots, a save percentage of .995. On the second game, Blake saved 24 of 25 shots, frustrating his opponents and saving shots in critical moments to help lead his team in a close 2-1 win against the Minnesota Mullets. He also put up 15 saves on 16 shots against Battle Creek. 

Midwest West Division

(Summaries by Jim Den Hollander / USPHL.com) 

Forward: John Becker, Minnesota Moose

Becker (‘03/Dellwood, Minn.) was celebrating a bit early as he wrapped up the pre-Christmas event with six goals and two assists and helped the Moose to three weekend wins and seven of a possible eight points. Becker collected points in all four games, including a hat trick against the Battle Creek Kernels. He wrapped up the weekend with a +11 rating, and was dominant on faceoffs as well.

Defenseman: Griffin Bourassa, Minnesota Blue Ox

Bourassa (‘02/New Brighton, Minn.) helped the Blue Ox who faced a tough schedule, bounce back from an 0-2 start with a pair of wins to wrap up play at the Showcase. He made his presence felt at both ends, limiting the Battle Creek Kernels and MJDP to just one goal through the final six periods while also contributing a goal and three assists and wrapping up the weekend with a +5 rating.

Goaltender: Levi Preugschas, Steele County Blades

Preugschas (‘03/Buffalo, Minn.) went to the crease for two of the four games in Chicago, stopping 54 of 57 opponent opportunities. Unfortunately, that was only good enough for a win and a loss as the MJDP squad put up a shutout 2-0 win. The primary goaltender for the Blades, Preugschas wrapped up the weekend with a .947 save percentage.

Midwest East Division

(Summaries by Miles Regan)

Forward: Kevin Maisells, Chicago Cougars

Maisells registered an impressive five points at the USPHL Chicago Showcase, bringing his team-leading total to 27 (12-15–27). The ‘02 Westminster, Colo., native had the second assist on T.J. Haas’ eventual game-winning power play goal against Columbus on Dec. 16, and added two goals and an assist against MHC the following day. Maisells and the Showcase-hosting Cougars went 3-1 at the event.

Defense: Andreas Zorn, Chicago Cougars

This the second Player of the Week nod for Zorn. The ‘02 defenseman from had a nice showing in his hometown at the USPHL Chicago Showcase, recording four points across four games. Zorn tallied two assists in Chicago’s 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones on Dec. 16 and finished the weekend with a +3 rating. He leads all Cougar blueliners with 18 (1-17-18) points through 21 games and has registered a total of 43 points across two seasons in the green and yellow.

Goaltender: Ido Steinberg, Fort Wayne Spacemen

Steinberg has yet to lose a start this season for Fort Wayne. The ‘03 Canadian earned his second #ShutoutShoutout of the year on Dec. 16, making 30 saves in a 1-0 Spacemen victory over the Hudson Havoc. Steinberg made an additional pair of stops in a shootout, allowing the Midwest East-leading Spacemen to defeat the Midwest West-leading Havoc. Fort Wayne has won 14 straight games and are one of the hottest teams in all of Premier.