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Waterloo Black Hawks

Reed, Vachon North to Alaska

February 21, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa - Defenseman Carson Reed and goaltender Calvin Vachon have each committed to the University of Alaska midway through their first seasons with the Waterloo Black Hawks.

Reed has played in 37 games and is one of five Hawks with a plus/minus differential of at least +10. Vachon has won 18 games, which currently ties for fourth in the USHL. Adding the pair to Waterloo's college commitment list, there are now 21 active Hawks who have chosen an NCAA Division I institution.

"Carson and Calvin have been important contributors so far this season," said Black Hawks Head Coach Matt Smaby. "This is an opportunity they have both worked hard to earn. It's great to celebrate a day like this, but I'm sure they would both tell you that they have a lot more they want to accomplish in Waterloo."

The Alaska Nanooks are renewing a connection with the Black Hawks which has been dormant in recent years. Austin Veith was the most recent Waterloo alumnus to appear in a game for Alaska during the 2017/18 season. However, the Nanooks coaching staff now includes former Black Hawks assistant PD Melgoza, who moved to Fairbanks last summer.

Reed has been a "plus" or "even" player for the Hawks in 29 of his 38 games. He scored his first USHL goal on October 7th against the Sioux Falls Stampede, adding two more during November. In total, the Warroad, Minnesota, native has 10 points (three goals, seven assists). Reed is one of only six USHL defensemen with a shorthanded goal this season, recorded against the Muskegon Lumberjacks during an 8-2 win November 4th.

Vachon was the winning netminder that night, making 19 saves. Even by that early date, the 18-year-old had already established himself as a significant part of the Hawks goaltending rotation. From October 13th to November 25th, Vachon won nine of his ten appearances. The run included an 18-save shutout versus the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders on Thanksgiving. Vachon added another shutout with 22 saves against the Omaha Lancers on December 15th. He currently ranks third in save percentage (.903) and fourth in goals-against average (2.86) across the USHL.

The Black Hawks are home this weekend for games against Sioux Falls and Cedar Rapids. Friday's game versus the Stampede begins at 7:05 and is the next Black Hawks Family 4-Pack game. For $64, fans can take advantage of a package which includes four tickets, four chuck-a-pucks, and $32 worth of concession vouchers. The deadline to order a Family 4-Pack is noon on Friday. Saturday is Country Night and a Dupaco Cowbell Cup game against the RoughRiders. The puck drops at 6:05 p.m. Seats for any Black Hawks home game are available from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.

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