Two Colorado natives have been recognized with weekly awards from the USPHL.

Long Beach Shredders forward Jacob Saenger is the Pacific Division Forward of the Week while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights blueliner Simon Herz is the Atlantic West Division Defenseman of the Week.

Making the 3,000-plus mile trek to Marlborough, Mass., for the USPHL Winter Showcase, Saenger, a 2001 birth year from Castle Rock, perked up on the trip with a hat trick against the Detroit Fighting Irish in an 8-5 win on Jan. 8, in addition to an assist. One game later, he scored a goal against Utica.

He now has 31 points in 30 games.  

Back home, Saenger (pictured) skated for the Colorado Thunderbirds and Colorado Springs Tigers.

Herz, an ’01 from Parker, was a mid-season addition to the Knights, and has worked out beautifully for the only Atlantic West team to make it 4-0 for their games at the USPHL Winter Showcase. Herz posted 2-2-4 in his four showcase games and was plus-1 while blocking three shots. All seven of his, on the other hand, made it on net.

He has eight points in nine USPHL Premier games. 

During his youth hockey career, Herz played for the Colorado Evolution and for Chaparral High School.

(January 14, 2022)