USPHL Premier Performance Player of the Week: Riley Richards – Santa Clarita Lakers

USPHL • USPHL PREMIER • USPHL Premier Performance Player of the Week: Riley Richards – Santa Clarita Lakers

USPHL Performance Player of the Week_OCT 5-11

The USPHL Premier has named Santa Clarita Lakers forward Riley Richards its Performance Player of the Week for games played Oct. 5–11, 2026. Selected by the league’s media voting panel, Richards will receive $500 through the league’s Performance Pays program.

The Lake Tahoe, Calif., native scored nine goals and added one assist for 10 points in three games, helping the Lakers collect five of six possible points. Richards recorded consecutive hat tricks and scored five power-play goals during the award week.

Richards opened with three goals and an assist in Santa Clarita’s 9-4 victory over the Bremerton Sockeyes on Oct. 9. He followed with a four-goal performance in a 5-3 win over Bremerton on Oct. 10, scoring twice on the power play and recording the game-winning goal.

He capped the weekend with two goals, including another power-play tally, in a 4-3 overtime loss to the undefeated Long Beach Bombers on Oct. 11. Richards accounted for two of the Lakers’ three goals as Santa Clarita earned a point against the Pacific’s first-place team.

Through nine games this season, Richards has registered 18 goals and 10 assists for 28 points, along with four game-winning goals. His offensive production has helped Santa Clarita open with a 7–1–1 record and 15 points.

“I’m honored to receive the performance award,” Richards said. “I want to thank the staff, my teammates, and everyone who’s supported me throughout the season so far.”

 

The Performance Player of the Week award recognizes one USPHL Premier player each week, regardless of position or division, through a vote by the league’s media panel. It is separate from the League Office’s Stars of the Week selections, which recognize a forward, defenseman and goaltender from each division and do not include a cash award.

Performance Pays continues in 2026–27, with the USPHL Premier program providing $500 weekly awards over 20 weeks. The initiative also rewards championship success, season award recipients and standout postseason performers.

Learn more about Performance Pays.