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Laczynski, Connor, Osburn, Jones, and Birdsall Earn USHL Weekly Honors

April 13, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release


Chicago, IL - The United States Hockey League today announced the CCM Hockey player awards for the final week of the 2014-15 USHL regular season.

Winners include Tanner Laczynski of the Chicago Steel and Kyle Connor of the Youngstown Phantoms, named co-recipients of CCM Forward of the Week; Zach Osburn of the Chicago Steel, named CCM Defenseman of the Week; and Peyton Jones of the Lincoln Stars and Chris Birdsall of the Youngstown Phantoms, selected as co-recipients of CCM Goaltender of the Week.

Tanner Laczynski, F, Chicago Steel: The 17-year-old totaled six points (3g, 3a) over three games during the week for the Steel. He recorded two points (1g, 1a) in Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win against the Youngstown Phantoms. He then had two points (1g, 1a) in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Green Bay Gamblers. Laczynski closed out the regular season with two more points (1g, 1a) in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. It was his fourth consecutive multi-point effort. The native of Shorewood, Illinois finished the season third in scoring on the Steel with 46 points (18g, 28a) over 57 games. The product of the Chicago Mission youth hockey program is committed to play college hockey at Ohio State University and is a prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft.

Kyle Connor, F, Youngstown Phantoms: For the second consecutive week, the forward earns USHL honors after recording six points (2g, 4a) over three games for the Phantoms. He dished out three assists on Wednesday in the 5-4 shootout loss to Chicago. The 18-year-old collected another assist in Friday's 3-1 win over Team USA before scoring two goals, including the game-winner, in Saturday's 7-1 victory against Team USA. Connor finished the regular season as the USHL's leading scorer with 80 points (34g, 46a) over 56 games, breaking his own record for the most points in a season by a Phantoms player. The native of Shelby Township, Michigan is a product of the Belle Tire youth hockey program and is committed to play college hockey at the University of Michigan. He is a top prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft.

Zach Osburn, D, Chicago Steel: The defenseman record four points (2g, 2a) and posted a plus-six rating over three games for the Steel. On Wednesday, he tallied the shootout winner in the 5-4 victory against Youngstown. He then had a season high three points (1g, 2a) in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Green Bay Gamblers. Osburn closed out the weekend with another goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Cedar Rapids. He finished the regular season with 16 points (8g, 8a) and a plus-three rating over 54 games. The 18-year-old from Plymouth, Michigan came to the USHL after playing in both the Honeybaked and Victory Honda youth programs. He is committed to play college hockey at Michigan State University following his career with the Steel.

Peyton Jones, G, Lincoln Stars: The 19-year-old made 30 saves for the Stars as they earned a 2-1 shootout victory against the Omaha Lancers on Saturday in their season finale. He was a key factor in the Stars turning away all six power play opportunities for the Lancers. Jones then came up big in the shootout as he stopped both attempts he faced. It was the fifth win of the season for the goaltender, and his first since January 30th. The Langhorne, Pennsylvania native played for the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers and New Jersey Rockets youth programs prior to his time in the USHL. He has yet to commit to a college hockey program.

Chris Birdsall, G, Youngstown Phantoms: The 18-year-old made 30 saves for the Phantoms in Friday's 3-1 victory against Team USA. The victory helped the Phantoms capture the outright Anderson Cup title. It was the 35th win of Birdsall's USHL career and 18th of the year with Youngstown. He has allowed one goal or less in five of his last six victories and finished the regular season ranked fourth among League goaltenders with a 2.46 goals-against-average. He also tied for fourth with a .914 save percentage over 32 appearances in 2014-15. The native of Glen Rock, New Jersey played youth hockey for the North Jersey Avalanche and is committed to play NCAA hockey at Boston College. He is also a prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft.

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