The USPHL has announced its player of the week awards, with two players from Arizona gaining the honors.

Metro Jets Development Program defender River Lewis is the Midwest East Premier Division Defenseman of the Week, while Las Vegas Thunderbirds goalie Sam Peterson is the Pacific Premier Division Goaltender of the Week.

Lewis, an ‘05 out of Chandler and Shattuck-St. Mary’s, was a key player over the past week for the MJDP, including a blocked shot in their historic intra-organizational 3-2 win over the Metro Jets and then also scored the game-tying goal that eventually pushed the MJDP to a shootout against Fort Wayne.

He has five points in seven games so far this year.

Back home, Lewis skated for the Arizona Hockey Union, Arizona Bobcats, and DYHA Jr. Sun Devils.

Peterson and Naomi Baechler split the wins in the three-game series with Long Beach. Baechler made history of her own as the first female to play a game (and get a goaltending win) in USPHL Premier, and Peterson, a 2003-born Scottsdale native, posted a fantastic 43-save victory, stopping all but two shots for a win on Friday the 13th.

He stands at 4-2 with a .923 save percentage for the season.

In Arizona, Peterson played for the Jr. Coyotes, Bobcats, and Brophy High School.

(October 21, 2023)