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USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Pionk, Schifsky Named All-USHL

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


Waterloo, Iowa - Defenseman Aaron Pionk and forward Garrett Schifsky were among the best United States Hockey League players at their respective positions this season, leading to their selections for All-USHL recognition on Monday.

Pionk was named to the league's All-USHL Second Team, while Schifsky took a place on the Third Team. The All-USHL Teams were compiled through a vote by league coaching staffs and general managers at the end of the 2022/23 regular season.

"Aaron and Garrett both bring a lot of skill, but that is secondary to their determination and commitment," said Hawks Head Coach Matt Smaby. "Garrett brings intensity and a very well-rounded skill set; he has been a huge part of our team during my two seasons here. Aaron was a terrific addition this year, and it's remarkable to remember that he is still learning his position; he is only going to get better with time."

Pionk played in 60 of 62 regular season games, tallying 12 goals and 24 assists. His 36 points tied for 10th among USHL defensemen, while his goal total put him in a fourth-place tie. The Minnesota State recruit had the seventh-best plus/minus mark by a blue-liner (+21). In October and then again during January, Pionk was recognized as the league's Defenseman of the Week. He had six multipoint nights and scored a game-winning goal April 15th during a 4-1 win against the Sioux City Musketeers.

The 2022/23 season was only Pionk's second as a defenseman. He had converted to the position prior to his first junior campaign as a member of the North American Hockey League's Minnesota Wilderness. Waterloo selected the Hermantown, Minnesota, native with the fourth overall pick during Phase II of the 2022 USHL Draft. Now Pionk is a candidate for the 2023 NHL Draft; last month NHL Central Scouting slotted him 117th among the leading North American prospects.

Schifsky matched his 28-goal season from 2021/22 with 28 more this winter. He was Waterloo's most prolific goal scorer in each season, becoming the first Hawk since Taylor Cammarata in 2011/12 and 2012/13 to top the goal column in consecutive years. Schifsky boosted his overall point total to 52 this season from 46 in 2021/22. Adding his producing from eight games as an affiliate in 2021/22, Schifsky recorded his 100th career regular season point on April 15th, becoming the first Waterloo skater to reach that milestone since Nick Swaney in 2016/17.

Named the Hawks' captain, Schifsky had been an assistant captain for the U.S. Junior Select Team which participated in the 2022 World Junior A Challenge. The Andover, Minnesota, native scored five times in six games during that event and helped the U.S. claim a gold medal for the ninth time in event history. Schifsky is committed to the University of Michigan.

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