Forwards
Braxton Powers, Islanders Hockey Club
Powers (‘04/Raleigh, N.C.) earns his third-straight Player of the Month nomination just after hitting some major milestones. He surpassed 100 career points when he scored his 50th career goal and 50th career assist on Dec. 13. He continued a 14-game points streak that began on Oct. 26, helping him keep the points leader title in the NCDC. The Islanders forward has played 26 games this season and 124 in his four seasons with the team. He has 103 total points to his name and 39 this season.
Joseph Samango, Islanders Hockey Club
Samango (‘05/Havertown, Pa.) takes his second consecutive Player of the Month nomination, standing second for the team in points with 32. He scored points in every game played in December, continuing a 14-game points streak he started on Halloween. He surpassed a milestone 50 career points as well, hitting 51 and counting. Over two seasons with the Islanders, he has played 78 games and continues to cement himself as a key player in the NCDC.
Bryan Tang, Boston Jr. Rangers
Tang (‘04/Hong Kong) joined the Boston Jr. Rangers from the Hitmen in November and has been one of the team’s most impactful players. Currently on an eight-game points streak he started on Nov. 23, Tang scored 10 points over six games in December, adding to his rookie season total of 22. He’s the third-best in points for the Jr. Rangers so far this season.
Forward Honorable Mention: Daniel Urban, Utica Jr. Comets
Defense
Ricky Volpe, Utica Jr. Comets
The highest-scoring defenseman for the Utica Jr. Comets, Volpe (‘04/Commack, N.Y.) scored 10 points over nine games in December, adding to his season tally of 21. The blueliner is playing his first season with the Comets after two prior NCDC seasons. He has 38 career points over 82 games, with 11 goals and 27 assists over three years in the NCDC.
Gregor Jennersjo, South Shore Kings
In his NCDC rookie season, Jennersjo (‘04/Stockholm, Sweden) earns another Player of the Month nomination, scoring six points over six games to help the South Shore Kings establish their place as the New England Division leaders heading into 2025. The blueliner has 22 points in his inaugural season, with three goals and 19 assists over 25 games.
Honorable Mention: Patrick Dotson, Worcester Railers JHC
Goaltender
Michael Valenta, Utica Jr. Comets
Valenta (‘05/Sumperk, Czechia) when 5-0-1-0 in December, making 191 saves on 204 shots for a .936 save percentage. In his first NCDC season, he is the eighth-best-performing goaltender in the league with a 2.24 goals against average. He is 9-5-0-3 over the season so far.
Honorable Mention: Paul Dalessio, Northern Cyclones
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.
Summaries by Taylor Dean
