Week of Jan. 17-23, 2023
Summaries By Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com
North Division
Forward: Max Breon, New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs
Recently acquired out of the OJHL, Breon – an ‘02 out of Texas – has put together three straight two-point efforts as the Monarchs went 3-0 since Jan. 17. Breon scored two goals in a 5-4 win against the Junior Bruins and then posted a pair of assists in the next two games straight for a 2-4-6 run.
Defense: Cullen McCormick, Twin City Thunder
McCormick (‘03/Eagle River, Alaska) scored the tying goal against the Northern Cyclones in their lone action this week, which pushed the Thunder to the shootout (which was eventually won by the Cyclones). He also blocked one shot and had seven takeaways. The Thunder are on a 5-0-0-2 points streak, and McCormick has 10 points in 24 games, including four points so far in 2023.
Goaltender: Ian Amaranto, Islanders Hockey Club
Amaranto (‘05/Johnstown, Pa.), a 2022 IHC NCDC Draft Pick, put up two fantastic performances for the Islanders to defeat both the South Shore Kings and Boston Junior Bruins over the last week, combining for 63 saves on 67 shots for a .940 save percentage in his first two NCDC victories.
South Division
Forward: Riku Brown, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Another former NAHL player, Brown (‘02/Lappeenranta, Finland) had a huge weekend against the Jersey Hitmen, including a hat trick and an assist in their Friday win. He also scored two more goals and added an assist in the next two contests for a 5-2-7 weekend that led all NCDC players since Jan. 17.
Defense: Sean Melso, Jersey Hitmen
Not only the highest-scoring defenseman in NCDC history, but Melso also became the first NCDC defenseman ever to register 100 points in his career. He struck for seven assists in the 2-1 weekend against the WBS Knights, including his 100th point with his first of the weekend. Currently at 107 points, Melso is a two-time Dineen Cup Champion with the Himen.
Goaltender: Cameron Smith, P.A.L. Jr. Islanders
A St. Lawrence University commit, Smith improved to 17 wins with a 25-save victory over the Mercer Chiefs, and also put up 32 saves on 35 shots in 65 minutes of an eventual shootout loss to the Rockets Hockey Club. All told, he came away with a .919 save percentage.
