Week of Oct. 2, 2024
Games of Sept. 24-30
Midwest Division
Forward: Jackson Cothron, Fort Wayne Spacemen
The Spacemen won a single Thursday game against MJDP, with whom the Spacemen have represented the division at Nationals the past two seasons. Returning Spaceman Jackson Cothron (‘04/Indianapolis, Ind.) scored two goals for a hot start to his second season. He has five points through three games.
Defense: Jack Backstrom, Fort Wayne Spacemen
Backstrom (‘05/Fort Wayne, Ind.) came up to the Spacemen Premier team in a great showing of USPHL Advancement In Action. He scored his first Premier goal in the victory against MJDP.
Goaltender: Herman Zippeldt, Fort Wayne Spacemen
Zippeldt (‘07/Novopolotsk, Belarus) stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced from the MJDP in his first junior game. Zippeldt joined the Spacemen out of the Esmark Stars team in the THF 16U Division.
Great Lakes
Forward: Brayden Goncalves, Red River Spartans
Goncalves (‘04/Vancouver, B.C.) moved into fourth all-time in Spartans scoring with his four-goal, six-assist outburst for 10 points at the USPHL Southeast Showcase, averaging 2.5 points per game for four games. He now has 72 points in 80 career games over three seasons with the Spartans.
Defense: Landon Edwards, Toledo Cherokee
Edwards (‘05/Richfield, Wis.), a second-year Premier veteran, had a strong weekend for the Cherokee, putting up two goals and adding one assist for three points against the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones.
Goaltender: Rostislav Efremov, Metro Jets
Returning Jet Efremov (‘04/Vladivostok, Russia) was lights-out in an instant classic matchup against the Toledo Cherokee, making 31 saves. He also had 20 saves on 21 shots in a win against the Battle Creek Kernels to get his season started with 50 saves on 51 shots for a .980 save percentage.
North Division
Forward: Bryce Laager, Hudson Havoc
Laager (‘04/Blaine, Minn.) came into his second Premier season – with plenty of Tier II experience also in tow – and posted five goals and added one assist in a 9-5 victory over the Northwest Express for his 2024-25 debut.
Defense: Lars Goerlitz, Minnesota Blue Ox
Goerlitz (‘07/Andover, Minn.) made an outstanding junior debut over his first five games. Just this past weekend, Goerlitz scored two goals and added one assist for three points, and he has four points overall joining the Blue Ox out of Centennial High School.
Goaltender: James Hunt, Steele County Blades
Hunt (‘05/Calgary, Alb.) returned to the USPHL after playing at the USPHL 16U – now THF 16U – level with the Jersey Hitmen 16U in 2021-22. In his Premier debut, he stopped 42 of 45 shots for a .933 save percentage out of the gate for the Blades.
Selection Process: Division statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who can choose to nominate alternate candidates for selection.
Summaries by Joshua Boyd
