Week of Feb. 22, 2024
Games of Feb. 14-20, 2024
Summaries by Joshua Boyd / NCDCHockey.com
Forward: Matys Brassard, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Brassard (‘03/St-Hubert, Que.) just recently joined the Knights out of the NAHL and immediately contributed to a pair of wins for the WBS squad at the South Shore Kings Presidents Day Showcase. His first game on Feb. 16 was a 2-2-4 performance and he would later add an assist on Feb. 18 against the host Kings for a total of a 3-2-5 line to start his NCDC tenure. His 22:27 of average ice time also led all Knights forwards. His twin brother Isaak Brassard also made the jump with Matys to the Knights, posting a GWG and assist in his NCDC debut.
Defense: Samuel Beaulne, Jersey Hitmen
Beaulne (‘03/Orleans, Ont.) came to the Hitmen with two prior years of Tier II experience in his home country and has been elevated to the role of ice time leader for the team. In the Kings Showcase, he posted 27:59 of average time per game en route to also putting up five assists to help the Hitmen go 1-1-0-1. His 37 takeaways led the Hitmen as well, and his +2 rating was tied for the team lead and best among Hitmen blueliners. He has 16 points in 43 games on the season.
Goaltender: Wilmer Brundin, Connecticut Jr. Rangers
Brundin (‘04/Stockholm, Sweden) was the division’s strongest goaltender at the South Shore Kings Presidents Day Showcase, stopping 66 of 70 shots while going 1-1. He helped the Jr. Rangers defeat the hosts, 4-1, on Feb. 17, stopping 37 of 38 in a game where the Kings outshot the Jr. Rangers. Brundin suffered an injury in October and the Kings event marked his first games since the Jersey Hitmen Classic. He holds a .921 save percentage for the season, his first in North America.
Rookie*: Kye Benoche, Rockets Hockey Club
February has been very good for Benoche (‘05/Campbell River, B.C.), who added to what is now a six-game scoring streak, comprising all of his February games. He put up three assists in the two Rockets games played at the Kings Showcase to put his scoring streak now at 4-5-9 in six games. That also increased his point total to 13 points in 15 NCDC games.
