USPHL Premier Performance Player of the Week: Walter Jimenez III – Kingston Wranglers

USPHL • News • USPHL Premier Performance Player of the Week: Walter Jimenez III – Kingston Wranglers

Jimenez

Kingston Wranglers goaltender Walter Jimenez III has been named the USPHL Premier Performance Player of the Week for Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2026, earning a $500 performance payout through the league’s Performance Pays initiative.

Jimenez stopped 144 of 148 shots across two appearances, finishing the week with a .973 save percentage, a 2.00 goals-against average and a shutout. Facing an average of 74 shots per game, he delivered two demanding performances highlighted by an 88-save shutout.

Jimenez opened the week Oct. 30 by turning aside 56 of 60 shots in a 4–2 road loss. His .933 save percentage kept Kingston within reach despite the heavy workload.

He followed with a perfect performance Nov. 1, stopping all 88 shots he faced to secure a 1–0 road victory. With Kingston scoring once, Jimenez protected the narrow margin throughout all 60 minutes to earn the shutout and the win.

Across his two starts, Jimenez played 120 minutes and allowed just four goals. His 88-save effort capped a week in which he turned aside more than 97 percent of the shots he faced.

“Walter was unbelievable this week,” Head Coach Chad Duchesne said. “He has been the backbone of our team all season, both on and off the ice. He has worked hard since the day he arrived in Kingston and it’s amazing to see him get rewarded for his hard work.”

The Van Alstyne, Texas native has appeared in eight games for Kingston this season, posting a .899 save percentage and a 6.24 goals-against average, with his first shutout coming in the 88-save victory.

This marks his third season of USPHL Premier competition after spending the previous two campaigns with the Springfield Jr. Pics. He made two appearances in 2024-25 before playing 16 regular-season games and one playoff contest for Springfield last season.

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.