Black Hawks Adds North Dakota Recruit Zach Yon

The Waterloo Black Hawks and Fargo Force have exchanged veteran forwards in a trade announced by the clubs Wednesday.

In the swap, the Hawks acquired Zach Yon, a University of North Dakota recruit ranked second among the Force in goals (13) and third in points (22). In return, Niko Hildenbrand will join the Force. Both players are spending their second seasons in the United States Hockey League.

“He’s a shooter. I think he can add a dimension on the power play, " Waterloo Black Hawks Head Coach and General Manager P.K. O’Handley noted about Yon. "He can really skate for a bigger guy.”

The Roseau, Minnesota, native has six power play points. Yon has also proved capable in a defensive capacity, ranking second among Force forwards with a +6 plus/minus differential. He has had a knack for getting his team off to a good start: in 2014/15, four of his 16 goals made the score 1-0. This year, he has already scored five “first goals,” tied for third-most among all players in the USHL. Prior to joining the Force, Yon was a finalist for Minnesota’s coveted Mr. Hockey Award.

Hildenbrand recorded eight goals and 13 assists in 54 games for the Hawks last season. Limited to just 22 appearances so far in 2015/16, Hildenbrand had nine points for the Hawks. Last week, he committed to the University of Massachusetts.

After picking up three wins over the weekend, the Black Hawks return to action in Des Moines Friday versus the Buccaneers. Saturday, on home ice, Waterloo hosts the Madison Capitols at 7:05. It’s a college night, with $8 tickets available for students displaying their IDs at the Domino’s Black Hawks Box Office. College seats are $7 in advance.