USHL CCM Players of the Week Named

February 15, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release

The United States Hockey League announced the CCM Forward, Defenseman and Goaltender of the Week for Week 21 of the 2015-16 season. San Jose Sharks prospect Karlis Cukste won his first weekly honor with Chicago Steel teammate Jake Gessert. Goaltender Jake Kielly won his second weekly distinction after finishing an impressive win streak. CCM Hockey is the official equipment partner of the USHL.

Forward: Jake Gessert - Chicago Steel

1 GP: 2 goals, 2 assists, +1 rating

Gessert led the Chicago offense in a 7-0 win Friday night with two goals and two assists. The two-goal night was the forward's second this season after scoring twice nearly one month ago. The Novi, MI native is skating in his first USHL season with the Chicago Steel after playing three seasons with the Kenai River Brown Bears. After scoring 19 points in 30 games for Kenai River this season, Gessert was called up to the Chicago Steel where he has scored 10 points in 15 games. Gessert is committed to Brown University and previously played for Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL), Compuware (HPHL) and Honeybaked (T1EHL). Gessert was undrafted in the USHL.

Defenseman: Karlis Cukste - Chicago Steel

1 GP: 0 goals, 3 assists, +2 rating

Cukste dished out three assists in a 7-0 Chicago Steel win Friday night. It was the third multi-point performance for the defenseman this season. Cukste has 11 points in 27 games with Chicago this season. The Riga, Latvia native was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the 2015 NHL Draft in the 5th round, 130th overall. Cukste previously played for HK Riga (MHL) and the Latvian National Team prior to playing in the USHL.

Goaltender: Jake Kielly - Tri-City Storm

2-0-0-0, 0.94 GAA, .968 SV%

Kielly won back-to-back games, including an overtime 34-save performance. Kielly is 9-0-1-0 in his last 10 starts and has allowed one goal or fewer in five of those starts. The Eden Prairie, MN native has a 1.86 GAA and .942 SV% in his last ten starts. Kielly has helped the Tri-City Storm climb to second in the Western Conference. The Clarkson University commit previously played for the Austin Bruins (NAHL), Victory Honda (T1EHL) and Eden Prairie High (USHS). Kielly was a 2012 USHL Phase I Draft pick in the 6th round, 88th overall.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 14th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2015-16. A record 37 players were chosen in the 2015 NHL Draft and more than 375 players on team rosters last season committed to NCAA Division I schools, further establishing the USHL as the world's foremost producer of junior hockey talent.

United States Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2016

• Force Move into Fourth Place with OT Win over Lancers - Fargo Force
• Fargo Scores Late, Wins in OT 4-3 - Omaha Lancers
• Bloomington Scores 4 Unanswered, Wins in Shootout - Bloomington Thunder
• Digrande Nets Hat Trick in Lumberjacks Loss - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Fighting Saints to Make New Hires - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• NTDP Announces "Milk and Cereal Bowl" Game - U.S. National Team
• Storm Goaltender Jake Kielly Wins Goaltender of the Week - Tri-City Storm
• Two Steel Players Earn USHL Player of the Week - Chicago Steel
• USHL CCM Players of the Week Named - USHL
• Muskegon Lumberjacks Red Wings Ticket Giveaway - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Capitols Announce Gazich as Team President - Madison Capitols

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