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USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Black Hawks Hand out 2023 Team Awards

May 1, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa - Waterloo Black Hawks Captain and leading goal-scorer Garrett Schifsky was voted the team's Most Valuable Player by his teammates and presented with an award representing that honor on Monday as players and staff joined together to commemorate the 2022/23 season.

Schifsky paced the team with 28 goals. It was the second consecutive season he reached that mark. The 20-year-old contributed 52 total points and had a +33 plus/minus differential, which placed second across the entire United States Hockey League. By the end of the regular season, Schifsky pushed his career point total to 100, becoming the 27th junior-era Black Hawk to reach triple digits. He is committed to Michigan.

Although Schifsky was Waterloo's top scorer, the Hawks relied on balance throughout the winter, finishing the campaign with nine different players who had at least 10 goals and 13 skaters with at least 20 points. The variable scoring helped the organization win 40 games for just the third time in team history. It was a year filled with thrilling moments, as Waterloo also won a franchise record 12 overtime or shootout decisions.

Gavin O'Connell scored a pair of overtime winning goals; on Monday he shared the team's Unsung Hero Award with Owen Baker. Both veteran forwards significantly boosted their point totals from 2021/22. This year, O'Connell more than doubled his rookie output, jumping from 24 to 50 points, including 24 goals and 26 assists. Meanwhile, Baker inflated his offensive results from 22 to 41 points (11 goals, 30 assists) year-over-year, while also playing in all 62 games for a second consecutive season. Each was among the top five in team scoring.

Griffin Erdman claimed the 2023 Rookie of the Year award. He finished ninth in USHL rookie scoring with 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) and was fifth among his leaguewide peers in plus/minus at +14. Erdman became the first Black Hawks rookie since Vladislav Firstov to record at least 40 regular season points. Along with Baker and Connor Brown, he was one of just three Waterloo players to appear in every game.

The Hawks' Hardest Worker Award was presented to Myles Hilman. The reliable forward was a key player in defensive and penalty killing situations. Simultaneously, he notched 17 goals in 52 games, which placed fourth for the club. Hilman's two shorthanded goals represented half of Waterloo's team total.

Appearing in 58 games, Jaedon Kerr received the "Most Improved Player" title. He had 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) and a +9 plus/minus differential while managing increasingly important ice time as the season progressed. At the end of January, he announced his commitment to Notre Dame.

Hawks Strength Coach and Equipment Manager Spenser Popinga was honored with the Karen Wente Distinguished Service Award. With the organization for his 10th season, Popinga's varied responsibilities keep him at the rink long hours. He works with the team in the weight room, creates individualized health plans, sharpens skates, lays out the locker room, and much more. Karen Wente was a longtime housing parent and team sponsor; the award has been named in her honor since 2009.

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