Franklin, Cecere Named USHL Players of the Week

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- The United States Hockey League announced Monday that the Sioux Falls Stampede's C.J. Franklin has been named CO-CCM Forward of the Week and Garrett Cecere has been named CCM Defenseman of the Week.

Franklin posted five goals in two games while Cecere tallied six assists in two games over the weekend. The two have helped the Stampede win five straight games and go 13-2-2 since February 1st.

On Friday, Franklin tallied two power play goals in the second period to cement a 7-1 victory at Sioux City and finished the night with a plus-1 rating. The Forest Lake, Minn. native followed that performance up by scoring a natural hat-trick in a 4-0 shutout win over Lincoln. Franklin posted two goals in the first period and then a power play goal to begin the third while finishing the night with 11 shots and a plus-2 rating.

Franklin leads the team in scoring with 51 points (22g, 29a) and has a plus-16 rating, second best on the team. The Minnesota State-Mankato recruit has at least a point in four straight games and has 8 points (6g, 2a) over his last five games.

Cecere tallied three assists and was a plus-2 in the Herd’s victory Friday at Sioux City. He helped set up the Stampede’s first goal and then added assists on both of Franklin’s power play goals in the second period. On Sunday, Cecere set up three of the Stampede’s four goals in their shutout victory over Lincoln. Cecere assisted on Franklin’s first and third goals as well as Ed McGovern’s power play goal that put the game away for good.

The West Des Moines, IA native is averaging a point game since joining the Stampede in January, posting 20 points (2g 18a) in 20 games and a plus-16 rating. Overall on the season, Cecere has registered 35 points (3g, 32a) in 50 games. He has already committed to play collegiate hockey next season at Colorado College.

Franklin, Cecere and the Stampede return to action this Friday when they host the Sioux City Musketeers at 7:05 PM.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Stampede