The Waterloo Black Hawks won two of three weekend games, and Monday, the United States Hockey League recognized Cody Sokol and Caleb Deanovich as two of the USHL's three Players of the Week.

Sokol claimed the Forward of the Week award.  His six points (two goals, four assists) outpaced all USHLers.  Deanovich was chosen as the Defenseman of the Week after topping all players at his position with four points (one goal, three assists).  Both Hawks are claiming a weekly award for the first time in their USHL careers.
 
The Black Hawks opened the weekend with a 5-1 win against the Sioux City Musketeers at Young Arena.  Remaining on home ice Saturday, Waterloo edged the Dubuque Fighting Saints 3-2 in overtime.  Then Sunday, the Hawks took an early lead on the road but could not outlast the Fighting Saints, eventually falling 6-3.

Sokol's big week boosted him into a tie for 8th in USHL scoring with 17 points (six goals, 11 assists).  He already held the distinction of being Waterloo's preeminent point-producer.  The Wisconsin recruit had a career-best three-point (one goal, two assist) game versus Sioux City.  Sokol followed up with two assists in the win over Dubuque, including the setup on the overtime-winning goal.  Then Sunday, his sixth goal of the season gave the Hawks their final lead – 3-2 – during the middle stages of the second period in Dubuque.

Deanovich also had at least one point in all three games over the weekend.  Friday, his power play assist helped Dylan Nolan produce the eventual game-winner against Sioux City.  Then Saturday, it was Deanovich himself who tallied the decisive goal during the first minute of overtime.  He delivered two more assists on Sal Viviano goals Sunday, both during first period power plays.  Deanovich now has nine points (two goals, seven assist), tying him for eighth in scoring among his defensive peers.  Eight of those points have been in power play situations, placing Deanovich in a tie for second among skaters at all positions.

Both players are spending their second season in Waterloo.  Sokol joined the Black Hawks following a trade with the Green Bay Gamblers last winter.  Deanovich – last season's youngest fulltime Waterloo skater – was the Hawks' first round selection during Phase I of the 2025 USHL Draft.

Sokol and Deanovich join Charlie Menard as USHL weekly award winners this season.  Menard was the league's Goaltender of the Week on September 28th.

Anthony Sciere of the Omaha Lancers was named the USHL Goaltender of the Week on Monday.

Deanovich, Sokol, and the entire Hawks roster skate at home against the Lincoln Stars on Friday at 6:35 p.m.  It's Country Night, presented by Texas Roadhouse, with live music in the Coors Light Cold Zone before the game.  The evening will also feature the kickoff of The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, and it's a Kwik Rewards Night.  The first 1,000 fans will receive a voucher for a free Kwik Star Glazer, Dunker, or Cake Donut.  For tickets, call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office or visit tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.