Week of Jan. 11, 2024
Games of Jan. 1-9, 2024
Summaries by Joshua Boyd / NCDCHockey.com
Forward: Aiden Ryan, Jersey Hitmen
Ryan (‘04/Raleigh, N.C.) is a former USPHL Elite All-Star with the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes who is now making his way in his second season in the NCDC with the Hitmen, who acquired him from the Rockets Hockey Club prior to November. In the team’s big win against his former team, Ryan registered two goals and added one assist for his first multi-point game in the Tier II league. He has seven points in 16 total games this year.
Defense: Jack Hewitt, P.A.L. Jr. Islanders
A returning Dineen Cup Champion, Hewitt (‘03/Toronto, Ont.) had a great first weekend of 2024 by putting up a goal and an assist for two points as the Jr. Isles swept the WBS Knights. Over his 10 games this year, he is second in average ice time with 20:29 and is tied for the team lead in takeaways per game with 10.
Goaltender: Cooper Rautenstrauch, Jersey Hitmen
The ‘05 from West Seneca, N.Y., stopped 39 of the 40 shots he faced from the rival Rockets Hockey Club on Jan. 5. The former Cushing Academy and Buffalo Jr. Sabre now has a save percentage of .917 for the season.
Rookie*: Jayar Luedke, Jersey Hitmen
Luedke (‘04/Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) had a career outing in his first NCDC season, putting up a 2-1-3 line in the Hitmen’s big win against the Rockets, which gave him nine points in nine games.
* = ’04 or younger / 10 Tier II games or less in prior seasons
