Week of Feb. 7, 2025
Games of Jan. 28-Feb. 3
Forward: Joseph Samango, Islanders Hockey Club
Samango (‘04/Havertown, Pa.) had a very productive run of three games, putting up two goals and four assists for six points, as the IHC added to their 4-0 recent run. He has put up 47 points in 35 games this year, a huge improvement on his 19 points from 2023-24. He also had one assist in the New England All-Stars’ second game on Jan. 28.
Defense: Ezra Zizmor, Worcester Railers JHC
Zizmor (‘05/New York, N.Y.) registered two assists in a 5-3 win against the Thunder Hockey Club, including on the tying goal which led to the Railers later building a lead towards the victory. Zizmor has nine assists this season, his second in junior hockey.
Goaltender: Braxton Castagno, Islanders Hockey Club
Castagno (‘04/Tyngsboro, Mass.) is as local as they get for the Tyngsboro-based IHC squad. He recently made his return to the USPHL after playing in the former USPHL 16U Division with the Northern Cyclones Academy in 2020-21. Joining in January from the SIJHL, Castagno stopped 50 of 55 shots in earning his first two NCDC wins against the Utica Jr. Comets.
Rookie: Justin Bayers, South Shore Kings
Bayers (‘06/Oslo, Norway) put up a 27-save shutout against the Seacoast Spartans on Jan. 30, his first shutout in the NCDC. Bayers is 6-1-0-0 this season for South Shore.
Selection Process: Team coaches first nominate players, the League sends back finalists, and coaches are then able to further vote on finalists or nominate other players.
Summaries By Joshua Boyd
Honorable Mention
Forward
Eli Velepec, South Shore Kings
Defense
Jason Zaccari, South Shore Kings
Goaltender
Beau Lane, South Shore Kings
Rookie
A.J. Sacco, Islanders Hockey Club
