Black Hawks’ Mountour Honored By USHL

Days after the Waterloo Black Hawks current winning streak began in mid-December, Brandon Montour was recognized as the United States Hockey League’s CCM Defenseman of the Week, and with the streak continuing last weekend, Montour earned a share of the award again Monday.

The Hawks have now won 13 consecutive contests, and Montour has at least one point in each of them. Friday, the University of Massachusetts recruit scored the decisive goal during a 3-1 victory over the Fargo Force. Saturday he tallied a pair of assists during a 6-2 rematch. Montour also led the Hawks with an aggregate +4 plus/minus rating during the two games. During the Waterloo winning streak, the Oshweken, Ontario, native has now recorded four goals and 14 assists.

The dynamic defensive duo of Montour and Mark Friedman are the co-league leaders in defensive scoring with 31 points apiece. Montour is also tied with Tucker Poolman of the Omaha Lancers at nine goals, most from the blue line in the USHL. Among the Black Hawks, his point total ranks tied for third this season, and he leads the squad with 16 power play points. Also reliable in his own zone, Montour is +15 during the campaign. Earlier this month, the 19-year-old was listed 186th among players eligible for the 2014 National Hockey League Draft by the NHL’s Central Scouting service.

Montour shared this Defenseman of the Week award with Zach Frye of the Lincoln Stars.

Individual recognition has followed Waterloo’s team success. This is the sixth consecutive week in which a Black Hawk has claimed at least a share of a USHL weekly award. Besides Montour’s prior win on December 16th, Friedman has twice been CCM Defenseman of the Week, and Hayden Shaw claimed the honor in late October. A Waterloo player has now earned a league award on 12 occasions in 2013/14.