Charles Menard has joined the Waterloo Black Hawks days before the beginning of the 2026/27 United States Hockey League season, following a trade with the Lincoln Stars announced Monday.

Waterloo dealt affiliate forward Max Aronson to Lincoln, plus Phase I and II selections during the 2027 USHL Draft.  Both picks were originally acquired from the Green Bay Gamblers.
 
Menard posted strong numbers for Lincoln last winter, delivering a .910 save percentage and 2.82 goals-against average in 19 appearances.  During just his second game, the Fairbanks, Alaska, native earned a 25-save shutout against the Fargo Force on November 7th.  The victory contributed to Menard's 9-9-2 regular season record.  The 18-year-old went on to appear in five of Lincoln's eight playoff games, pushing his save percentage up to .926 during postseason competition and minding the crease during two wins against the eventual Clark Cup champion Sioux Falls Stampede.

Prior to playing for Lincoln, Menard earned a 17-6-3 record with his hometown Fairbanks Ice Dogs in North American Hockey League competition during 2024/25.  He had three shutouts that winter and a 2.13 goals-against mark.  Menard played the prior two seasons at Culver Academy.  He is committed to Augustana University.

The Black Hawks head to the United States Hockey League Fall Classic in Chicago, where they will meet the Muskegon Lumberjacks in a season-opening game on Thursday at 3:30.