CHICAGO CRUSH

We are absolutely hyped to congratulate three absolute stalwarts—Ryan Brown, Connor Edwards, and Brendan Kusbel—who were all simultaneously named Midwest Premier Division Stars of the Week for the week of November 3-9.

Look at the ledger: Paullo was an offensive engine from the blueline, posting a staggering 8 points in just 4 games. That's a two-point-per-game clip, a scoring rate usually reserved for high-flying wingers, not the gritty anchor of your defense.

This is pure, raw, unapologetic hockey, and defenseman Hunter Pope and goaltender Giovanni "Gio" Bottalico delivered a week that was simply nasty in the best possible way.

Bledsoe’s offensive surge was not volume shooting; it was surgical conversion. His four-goal eruption on Saturday was a clinic in different ways to beat a goaltender, highlighting his versatility as a pure finisher.

For a goaltender, extended periods of inaction are a form of torture. Muscles cool, the mind wanders, and rhythm is systematically destroyed. The 16-save performance, therefore, becomes a study in absolute efficiency, flawless positioning, and total concentration. Gurtner’s game this week was not about acrobatic desperation; it was about quiet, economical execution.

The USPHL Premier’s weekly honor roll often spotlights the statistics that drive wins. Yet, for the week of October 13-19, 2025, the recognition of Crush defenseman Brody Luzbetak transcends the simple calculation of goals and losses.