The USPHL has announced that three Colorado players have earned weekly honors for last weekend’s performances.

Connecticut Jr. Rangers forward Elias Holunga is the Mid-Atlantic Division Forward of the Week, while Provo Predators netminder Bryson Stern is the Mountain Division Goaltender of the Week, and San Diego Sabers goaltender Ethan Blackburn is the Pacific Division Goaltender of the Week.

Holunga, an ‘03 from Golden, was huge for the Rangers in his first year with that organization and third season in the USPHL Premier.

His three goals and four assists for seven points helped propel the Jr. Rangers to a 3-1 record at the BJB Shootout showcase in Marlboro, Mass. He scored a goal in each of the Rangers’ first three games, including the first goals of the Rangers’ first two games.

Prior to junior hockey, Holunga skated for the Arvada Hockey Association and at Ralston Valley High School.

Stern, a 2003-born rookie from Littleton, stole the show, earning a win in his first career start in last Saturday’s 6-1 victory over Rock Springs, stopping 37 of 38 shots. The sparkling start was an encore after stonewalling the Utah Outliers with 18 saves on 20 shots.

Overall, he finished the weekend 1-0-0 with a 2.04 GAA and an eye-popping .948 save percentage.

Back home, Stern played for the Colorado Springs Tigers, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders and Foothills Flyers.

Blackburn’s award means back-to-back player of the week honors.

Blackburn, a 2002-born goalie from Boulder, helped San Diego to some big victories over Las Vegas last weekend. He went 2-1 on the weekend, stopping 111 of 120 shots, finishing the weekend with a 48-save #ShutoutShoutout.

During his Colorado youth days, Blackburn played for the Boulder Hockey Club, Monarch High School, and the RoughRiders.

(October 8, 2022)