Pionk Is Player of the Week
October 12, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Waterloo Black Hawks News Release
Waterloo, Iowa – First-year Waterloo Black Hawks defenseman Aaron Pionk is the United States Hockey League’s Defenseman of the Week, the USHL announced on Wednesday morning.
Goals from the 19-year-old bookended the Hawks’ 4-1 Saturday victory against the Tri-City Storm. Skating at Young Arena for the first time during the regular season, Pionk blasted a shot to the top corner moments after a faceoff win, giving Waterloo a 1-0 lead near the midpoint of the second period. He then sealed the win with an empty net goal in the closing seconds. Pionk was +3 during the performance. It was the first multigoal game by a Black Hawks defenseman since David Gucciardi scored twice during a 7-6 win over the Dubuque Fighting Saints on February 12, 2021.
Waterloo’s first pick during Phase II of the 2022 USHL Draft, Pionk was also responsible for the first Waterloo goal of the 2022/23 season, scored against the Youngstown Phantoms during a 5-2 victory at the USHL Fall Classic on September 24th. He currently leads the Hawks in goals and is tied for the team points lead with four. At this young stage of the season, the Hermantown, Minnesota, native is also the only league defenseman with three goals.
In 2021/22, Pionk played for the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League. He produced nine goals and 19 assists with a +14 differential in 51 NAHL regular season contests.
From the fall of 1997 to the spring of 1999, Aaron’s father, Scott Pionk, was the Black Hawks’ head coach. An older brother – Neal – is currently a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets.
Aaron Pionk is committed to Minnesota State University. He is the first Black Hawk to win a USHL weekly award this season.
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