NTDP’s Bellows, Lumberjacks’ Daccord named USHL players of the week

By @MichaelCaples –

The USHL announced their first ‘CCM players of the week’ selections for the 2015-16 season today, and two Michigan connections cracked the list.

USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-18 Team forward Kieffer Bellows was named the league’s forward of the week after recording a hat trick and an assist in his NTDP debut. Bellows, a Edina, Minn. native, played for the Sioux Falls Stampede last season, before joining the NTDP over the summer.

Meanwhile, Muskegon Lumberjacks netminder Joey Daccord was named the goaltender of the week, after he led the ‘Jacks to a 3-2 shootout win in his USHL debut. A 2015 draft pick of the Ottawa Senators, Daccord is committed to Arizona State.

From the USHL:

Kieffer Bellows – Team USA

1GP: 3 goals, 1 assist, +2 rating

Bellows tallied a hat trick and dished out an assist in his first game with Team USA. Bellows, 2015 USHL Rookie of the Year, is coming of a record season for a 16-year old USHL rookie in which he scored 33 goals with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Now skating for Team USA, Bellows notched the eventual game-winning goal seven minutes into the third period. Bellows is a native of Edina, Minnesota and previously played for the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) and Edina High School (USHS). Bellows is committed to play college hockey at Boston University.

John Marino – Tri-City Storm

1 GP: 0 goals, 3 assists, +3 rating

Marino dished out three assists in his USHL debut with the Tri-City Storm, a 5-1 win over rival Omaha Lancers. Marino, a 2015 NHL Draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, assisted on back-to-back goals in the first period. His third and final assist came on a Jake Wahlin tally to seal the win for the Storm. Marino previously played for the South Shore Kings (USPHL) and is committed to play college hockey at Harvard University. Marino is a native of Brockton, MA.

Joey Daccord – Muskegon Lumberjacks

1 GP: 1-0-0, 1.19 GAA, .933 SV%

Daccord earned the win in his USHL debut with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, a 3-2 SO win. Daccord, a 2015 NHL Draft pick of the Ottawa Senators, stopped 28 shots, including a 17-shot onslaught in the second period. Daccord was perfect through 50 minutes of play, and battled through the overtime period to reach a shootout where he stonewalled all five Waterloo attempts. Daccord previously played for Cushing Academy (USHS) and North Andover High School (USHS), and is committed to play college hockey at Arizona State University.