Charlie Menard was the last addition to the Waterloo Black Hawks' roster ahead of the regular season; Monday, he became the first Hawk recognized as a United States Hockey League Player of the Week.

The Augustana University recruit was named the USHL Goaltender of the Week in the wake of his first Waterloo victory last Friday against the Fargo Force.  The Hawks won the game 3-2, one of two victories the team claimed while visiting North Dakota for their first true road tests of the season.
 
Menard made nine or more saves in each of Friday's three periods and finished with 40 total stops.  The Force outshot the Hawks 42-38.  It was the highest save count for a Black Hawks goalie since Michael Chambre made 46 during a 4-1 loss to the Lincoln Stars on January 3rd.

The Hawks acquired Menard via a trade with Lincoln two weeks ago between the conclusion of the exhibition schedule and the season-opening USHL Fall Classic.

Through two appearances for Waterloo, Menard is 1-0-1 with a .924 goals-against average and 2.46 goals-against average.  Last year with Lincoln, he had a 45-save performance versus the Sioux Falls Stampede during the regular season.  Then in the Clark Cup Playoffs, Menard shined in games with 41 and 57 saves against Sioux Falls (April 19th and April 24th respectively).  The Fairbanks, Alaska, native earned a 9-9-2 regular season record, then added two more wins during five playoff appearances.

Menard and the Black Hawks open their home schedule at Young Arena Friday against the Dubuque Fighting Saints.  The home opener is presented by Rydell Auto.  The first 1,000 fans will receive a 65th season commemorative poster, plus a voucher for a Kwik Star Big Buddy fountain drink.  The 6:35 p.m. contest is part of the Dupaco Cowbell Cup series; visit tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com for seats or call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.