Whitehead, Buckberger Named USHL Players of the Week
May 1, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced Monday that Stars goaltender CameronWhitehead has been named the Goaltender of the Week and defenseman BostonBuckberger has been named the Defenseman of the Week for Week 31 of the 2022-23 season.
Whitehead and Buckberger earned their honors after the Stars won four-of-five games last week to advance to the Western Conference Finals in the 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs. Lincoln swept the Des Moines Buccaneers in two games in the first round before winning two-of-three at Waterloo this past weekend.
Whitehead, 19, started in net for all five games and recorded a 2.54 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. The 2022 Vegas Golden Knights fourth-round draft pick stopped a season-high 44 shots in Game 1 of the second round against Waterloo on Friday.
The Northeastern commit was named to the All-USHL Third Team earlier today after tying for the USHL lead with five shutouts. Whitehead also finished top five among USHL goaltenders in wins (25, tied for second), minutes (2,483, second), saves (1,099, fourth), shootout wins (3, fourth) and shootout save percentage (.933, fourth).
Buckberger, 19, was the only Stars' skater to appear in all 62 games of the regular season and he is off to a fast start in the postseason. He recorded six assists in the first five games of the 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs, including two two-assist efforts in Game 2 against Des Moines last Tuesday and Game 1 against Waterloo on Friday. His six points lead all defensemen in the postseason are tied for the fourth-most among all players.
The University of Denver commit was also named to the All-USHL Third Team earlier today after finishing tied for the most power-play assists (18) among USHL defensemen and the second-most assists (36). Buckberger recorded 12 multi-point games, including five in February. He recorded points in 10-of-12 games in February and 14 (2+12) overall.
This is the first time this season that multiple Stars players have been selected as USHL Players of the Week. Whitehead has earned Goaltender of the Week for a fourth time after previously earning it for Weeks 1, 16 and 29. Buckberger was previously named Defenseman of the Week for Weeks 5 and 21. Cole Crusberg-Roseen was also named Defenseman of the Week for Week 8 while AntonioFernandez claimed the same honor for Week 27.
Whitehead, Buckberger and the Stars continue their postseason push this week as they face the Fargo Force in the Western Conference Finals. Game 1 is Thursday night at 7:05 at Scheels Arena. Game 2 follows up the next time at the same time and location. The series shifts to the Ice Box for Game 3 at 5:05 on May 7. If necessary then Game 4 will be at 7:05 on May 8 at the Ice Box and Game 5 will be at 7:05 on May 11 at Scheels Arena. Tickets for Game 3 and 4 can be purchased here for $10. 7th Star members who have already purchased 2023-24 season tickets receive free admission to all home postseason games by showing their 7th Star badge or giving their name at the gate.
United States Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2023
- Black Hawks Hand out 2023 Team Awards - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Whitehead, Buckberger Named USHL Players of the Week - Lincoln Stars
- Owen Michaels Named USHL Forward of the Week - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Michaels, Buckberger and Whitehead Selected for League Honors - USHL
- Muskegon Lumberjacks Add Evan Trupp to Coaching Staff - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Four Force Receive USHL Team Honors - Fargo Force
- Sacha Boisvert Named to USHL All-Rookie Second Team - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Three Stars Named to All-USHL Teams - Lincoln Stars
- Ryan St. Louis and Max Burkholder Named to USHL Second Team - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Palodichuk, Knuble and Marinov Named to All USHL Teams - Fargo Force
- Three Steel Players Named to All-USHL Teams; Two Named to All-Rookie Teams - Chicago Steel
- Pionk, Schifsky Named All-USHL - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Two Fighting Saints Make All USHL Team - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- All-USHL Teams Announced for 2022-23 - USHL
- Conmy Named to Third Team All-USHL - Sioux City Musketeers
- Pair of Musketeer Rookies Collect Awards - Sioux City Musketeers
- Two RoughRiders Named USHL First Team - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Swanson Named to USHL All-Rookie First Team - Fargo Force
- Michael Hrabal Makes All-USHL Rookie First Team - Omaha Lancers
- Connelly Named to USHL All-Rookie Second Team - Tri-City Storm
- USHL All-Rookie Teams Announced for 2022-23 - USHL
- Capitols Announce Andy Brandt as New Head Coach and General Manager - Madison Capitols
- Phantoms Sweep Their Way into Eastern Conference Final with 3-1 Win Over Cedar Rapids - Youngstown Phantoms
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