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USHL Chicago Steel

Byfuglien Earns USHL Defenseman of the Week Honors

January 22, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Chicago Steel defenseman Thor Byfuglien has been named USHL Defenseman of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Byfuglien scored the game-winning goal and an assist on January 19 to help lift the Steel to a 4-3 win over the USA Hockey NTDP U17 team, finishing the night with a +2 rating. The third-year blue-liner followed up his big Friday finish with another productive night on Jan. 20, recording two assists and a +3 rating in a gritty 6-5 win against the NTDP U18 team. The pair of two-point performances were Byfuglien's fourth and fifth multi-point games this season and the first consecutive multi-point games of his USHL career.

Byfuglien leads all Steel defensemen in goals (4) and is second in points (16) and assists (12). His five power play assists are tied at the top among Steel defensemen, and his +3 rating leads all Steel skaters. He has also recorded two power play goals this season and is the only Steel defenseman who has recorded at least a power play goal and power play assist.

In 11 games in which Byfuglien has recorded at least one point this season, the Steel are 8-3-0-0.

"Thor is a great leader on and off the ice," said Steel Head Coach and General Manager Mike Garman. "He's extremely competitive and is constantly building momentum for our team. In addition to his defending, he has the ability to make high-level plays and produce offensively. He's an elite USHL defenseman who continues to get better and better."

A St. Cloud State commit, Byfuglien has had a positive plus-minus rating in each of the last three games and is a +6 over that span. Byfuglien's goal on Jan. 19 matched his season total from last year (4), and the defenseman has doubled his assist count from the 2022-23 campaign (6) in half the games. The Steel veteran played in his 100th USHL game on Jan. 13 against Waterloo.

Byfuglien is the second Steel defenseman to earn Defenseman of the Week honors from the league this season. Michael Hagens has earned the weekly award twice this year, the first on Dec. 4 following a three-assist weekend and the second earlier this month on Jan. 8 after recording a goal and three assists in two games. It's the fifth weekly honor the Steel have received from the USHL this season.

The Steel will return home this weekend, Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27 with both games at 7:05 pm.

Jan. 26 is Out of This World Night presented by Illinois Aviation Academy, where the Steel will wear special space-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

On Jan. 27, fans can cash in on a great promotion with $2 beers (12 oz. Coors Light/Miller Lite cans), sodas (12 oz. cans), hot dogs (regular) and popcorn.

Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

PREVIOUS USHL WEEKLY HONORS

Forward of the Week:

11-13-23: Joey DelGreco - 1 GP: 3G-2A-5P, 6 SOG, +1

12-4-23: Charlie Major - 3 GP: 4G-0A-4P, 16 SOG, +/- 0, 2 GWG

Defenseman of the Week:

12-4-23: Michael Hagens - 3 GP: 0G-3A-3P, 9 SOG, +/- 0

01-8-24: Michael Hagens - 2 GP: 1G-3A-4P, 4 SOG, +4

01-22-24: Thor Byfuglien - 2 GP: 1G-3A-4P, 3 SOG, +5, 1 GWG

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Friday, January 26 vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7:05 pm CT) | Out of This World Night presented by Illinois Aviation Academy with Special Jersey Auction to benefit JDRF

Saturday, January 27 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers (7:05 pm CT) | $2 Beers, Sodas, Hot Dogs, and Popcorn

Friday, February 2 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT)

Check out the Chicago Steel Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2024


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