Week of Sept. 22-24, 2023
Forward: Shane Baker, Boston Junior Bruins
On the eve of his 100th career game (scheduled to be played at the BJB Shootout), Baker scored two goals and added an assist in his team’s season-opening overtime win. The ‘04 from Grafton, Mass., then scored the overtime game-winner himself on Sept. 24 to sweep the Islanders Hockey Club in their opening weekend.
Defense: Salvatore Cerrato, South Shore Kings
Like Baker, Cerrato (‘04/St. Louis, Mo.) is a veteran defenseman who has risen to a share of the league scoring lead, posting a goal and a league-leading five assists for six points in just two games, both wins against the Northern Cyclones.
Goaltender: Garrett Simpson, Boston Junior Bruins
Simpson (‘04/Cincinnati, Ohio) put together back-to-back overtime wins with the Junior Bruins, starting his NCDC career with a 32-save effort on 33 shots. In Game 2, he posted 25/28 for a total of 57 saves on 61 shots equaling a .934 save percentage.
Rookie: Xavier Vaillancourt, South Shore Kings
Vaillancourt (‘04/Montreal, Que.) put up two goals in his first game, scoring the team’s first goal to come back from a 1-0 deficit and then also scored what stood up as the insurance goal in his NCDC debut. He followed that up with a goal and an assist in their second game versus the Cyclones.
(Rookie: Player new to Tier II hockey; 2004 birth year or younger).
