Summaries By Taylor Dean
Forwards
Andrew Schmidt, Idaho Falls Spud Kings
Schmidt (‘05/Chicago, Ill.) scored two game-winning goals to help the Idaho Falls Spud Kings secure a seven-game winning streak since Nov. 9. The forward had 14 points (seven goals; seven assists) over nine games in November. So far this season, he is number two in most game winning goals for the NCDC and is the leading points scorer for the Spud Kings. Playing in his second season with the Spud Kings, Schmidt is number five in all-time goals for the franchise.
Brody Simko, Ogden Mustangs
The leading points scorer for the Ogden Mustangs this season, Simko (‘04/Butler, Penn.) registered 14 points over 10 games in November. On Nov. 29, he scored a shootout goal to help the team defeat the Utah Outliers. In his two seasons with the Mustangs, Simko has 37 career goals and 34 career assists and an 83.3 shootout percentage. This season, he’s the third-highest points scorer in the NCDC.
Garrett Joss, Utah Outliers
The leading points scorer for the Utah Outliers this season, Joss (‘04/Whitby, Ont.) is on a seven-game points streak. He scored three game-winning goals in November, bringing his career tally to seven. Joss has played 76 games over two seasons with the Outliers, registering 35 goals and 50 assists in his career thus far.
Forward Honorable Mention: Jiri Duda, Ogden Mustangs
Defensemen
Edvin Edlund, Rock Springs Grizzlies
Edlund (‘04/Östersund, Sweden) is making his mark in his rookie NCDC season as the leading points scorer for the Rock Springs Grizzlies and fourth highest points scoring defenseman in the league. Edlund posted 12 points in November, including three goals and nine assists.
D.J. MacLeish, Idaho Falls Spud Kings
MacLeish (‘05/Troy, Mich.) kicked off his season with the Idaho Falls Spud Kings on Nov. 14, playing six games across the month to register one goal and five assists as a defenseman. He scored a shootout goal against the Ogden Mustangs, securing a win for the Spud Kings on Nov. 23. In his second season in the NCDC, MacLeish has 53 career points with 20 goals and 33 assists.
Defenseman Honorable Mention: Filip Lezzani, Utah Outliers
Goaltender
Dilans Birkans, Ogden Mustangs
NCDC rookie Birkans (‘06/Ikskile, Latvia) is bursting onto the scene as the leading goalie for the league with a 1.43 goals against average and a .946 save percentage. In November, Birkans won three of five games played, making 139 saves on 147 shots. Birkans is 6-1-0-1 in his rookie season with two shutout wins.
Goaltender Honorable Mention: Simon Zille, Rock Springs Grizzlies
Selection Process: The division’s coaches are presented with a ballot form with statistical leaders (ranked by points per game average for skaters and save percentage for goaltenders) and vote on that form. The league takes the results of that vote and presents the finalists to the coaches, who are able to vote on further changes if desired.
