The USHL has announced that Des Moines Buccaners forward Paul Minnehan is the Forward of the Week, while Youngstown Phantoms blueliner Tory Pitner is the Defenseman of the Week.

Minnehan, a 2003-born Cypress native and Arizona State commit, posted three goals and one assist with a plus-3 rating, helping Des Moines to a 2-0-0-0 record last week.

He scored the game-winning goal in a 6-3 victory over the Sioux City Musketeers last Friday and then scored the game-winning goal in a 5-1 victory over the Lincoln Stars last Saturday.

Back in California, Minnehan skated for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings.

An El Cerrito native with a commitment to Denver in tow, Pitner had two goals and four assists with a plus-5 rating in three games last week for the Phantoms.

The 2006 birth year led USHL players with six points as Youngstown went 2-0-1-0 last week.

Pitner had three assists with two shots on goal and was plus-3 in 6-3 win over the Sioux Falls Stampede last Saturday.

During his youth hockey days, Pitner played for the Jr. Kings and San Jose Jr. Sharks and at Saint Mary’s High School.

Photos/Dan Hickling

(October 30, 2023)