The USHL announced today that Chicago Steel forward Erik Middendorf has been named the Forward of the Week.

Middendorf, serving this season as the Steel captain, earned his first player of the week award as he hit the century mark in games played. The Scottsdale native and Jr. Coyotes alum registered seven points (two goals, five assists) in a trio of Steel wins over the Youngstown Phantoms.

A 2000 birth year, Middendorf has registered at least a point in all 11 of his games this season, including a season-high four points (goal, three assists) in the third game of the week.

The former USA Hockey National Development Team (NTDP) forward already has 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) this season, which is six points shy of his USHL career-high 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) last season with the Steel. Middendorf now has 66 career points (28 goals, 38 assists) in 102 USHL games between the NTDP and Steel.

During the 2018-19 season, Middendorf played at NCAA Division I Colorado College, going for seven goals and 11 points in 41 games, and then added two assists in six games last season before opting to return to junior hockey to play for Chicago.

(Dec. 15, 2020)