Future UND recruits Lincoln Star forward Luke Johnson and Lincoln Stars Defenseman Paul Ladue earned USHL Honors for week 18. Johnson and Ladue are set to join UND during the 2013-14 season.
Official Press Release --- Award winners include Luke Johnson of the Lincoln Stars and Justin Kloos of the Waterloo Black Hawks who were named co-recipients of CCM Forward of the Week; Paul LaDue of the Lincoln Stars, selected as CCM Defenseman of the Week; and Connor Girard of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, who takes home honors as Reebok Goaltender of the Week.
Luke Johnson, F, Lincoln Stars: The 18-year-old tallied four goals and an assist over the weekend, leading then Stars to a pair of wins. On Friday night, he scored Lincoln’s first goal mid-way through the first period on the power play and assisted on Paul LaDue’s second period power play goal to help the Stars to a 3-2 shootout victory over the Sioux City Musketeers. After being held off of the score sheet on Saturday, the Grand Forks, ND native responded by recording his first USHL career hat trick, with a goal in each period, to lead the Stars to a 5-0 win over the Des Moines Buccaneers. Johnson currently ranks fifth on the team in scoring with 26 points (11g, 15a) and is tops with 11 points on the power play (6g, 5a).
Paul LaDue, D, Lincoln Stars: The Grand Forks, ND native had a point in each of the Stars’ three games over the weekend. On Friday, he scored a second-period goal on the power play and buried the deciding goal in the shootout [click to view] to lead the Stars to a 3-2 shootout win over the Sioux City Musketeers. He notched an assist in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Fargo Force and added another assist in Sunday’s 5-0 shutout over Des Moines. LaDue is currently riding a four-game point streak, amassing three goals and two assists over that span, and is third on the team in points (32) and second in assists (22).
The Grand Forks Native Paul Ladue (10g-22a—32pts), leads all USHL defensemen in assists 22 and points 32. Ladue also leads the USHL in shots on goal with 120. Ladue is also a +20 in 38 games played.
