Garrett Schifsky, Aaron Pionk, and Jack Spicer were chosen to skate in 2023 BioSteel All-American Game which will be played on Monday, January 16th at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.
The rosters were announced by USA Hockey late Wednesday afternoon as the Waterloo Black Hawks prepared to play their first game after the United States Hockey League's holiday break.
"It is a tremendous opportunity to be around some of the top players in the league," said Waterloo Head Coach Matt Smaby. "Those guys have obviously been noticed by people outside our team and league for the amount of work that they're doing, and the performances that they're having this year."
Schifsky is in his second full season with the Black Hawks. He is currently tied for the team lead with nine goals and ranks third on the roster with 15 points. The Michigan recruit remains near the top of Waterloo's stat sheet despite missing four December games while helping the U.S. Junior Select Team to a gold medal at the World Junior A Challenge. In six games during that competition, Schifsky accumulated six points (five goals, one assist). In 2021/22, he was Waterloo's leading point-producer (46) and goal-scorer (28) in the regular season, then tallied another three goals with one assist in six playoff appearances.
Pionk joined the Black Hawks this fall and is only a couple years removed from converting to a new position. The former forward ranks second in scoring among Waterloo defensemen with 12 points (five goals, seven assists). Pionk's +12 plus/minus differential is also best on the team and places him in a tie for third leaguewide among USHL blue-liners. The Hermantown, Minnesota, native is committed to Minnesota State.
Spicer is in his first season minding the Waterloo crease. His 2.29 goals-against average (second), .910 save percentage (seventh) and eight wins (tied for seventh) all rank among the top ten marks in the league. Spicer debuted on October 21st with a 21-save road victory against the Sioux Falls Stampede. He also earned a win in each of his next five starts, including a 21-save performance in the traditional Thanksgiving night game against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
The BioSteel All-American Game is a showcase for US-born, NHL Draft-eligible prospects. Forty-seven players were chosen to participate, and the exhibition will air live on NHL Network.
Tickets for the next Black Hawks' home game can be ordered online from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com or by calling the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680. Waterloo takes the Young Arena ice on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. against the Youngstown Phantoms. Friday night, the Hawks are on the road against the Sioux Falls Stampede.
