KEARNEY, Neb. – Tri-City Storm defenseman Bobby Nardella was named the USHL’s Defenseman of the Week by the league office Monday after assisting on four goals in the Storm’s victories over Omaha and Sioux City over the weekend.

The Rosemont, Ill. native had three assists in the first period of Friday night’s 5-1 win against the Lancers, and added another helper on the first goal of the game during the second period on Saturday.

Three of the four assists came while Tri-City was on the man-advantage, where Nardella is a mainstay working with forward Chris Wilkie, the USHL’s leader in power play goals (13).

A Notre Dame commit, Nardella is 5th in defensive scoring among all USHL blueliners with six goals and 20 assists. He also leads all defenseman with 15 power play assists.

Now in his second USHL season, Nardella won a gold medal playing for Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge in Kindersley, Saskatchewan during December.

The honor is Nardella’s first of the season, joining defenseman Mattias Goransson and goaltender Alec Dillon as Storm players to receive league awards thus far during the 2014-15 season.

Tri-City is in second place in the Western Conference standings with 57 total points.

This weekend the Storm will take on the Lincoln Stars in a home-and-home series on Friday and Saturday, before heading back to Sioux City for aSunday afternoon battle.

Friday’s game is in Lincoln at 7:05 p.m. before the teams take the rivalry to Kearney on Saturday, also at 7:05. Saturday is also Pack-It-In-Purple at the Viaero Event Center. Fans are encouraged to wear purple and will receive rally towels upon entry.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit www.stormhockey.com.