North Division
Forward: Paden Hicks, Northern Cyclones
The second-year Cyclones, an ‘02 out of Kansas City, Mo., was a busy man in the most recent three contests of the Cyclones’ six-game winning streak. He posted four goals and added one assist, including a 2-1-3 effort against the South Shore Kings on Oct. 21, while the Cyclones allowed just two goals in one of those three contests, the other two being shutouts. Overall, Hicks has nine points in 10 games and 31 points in 47 career NCDC regular season games.
Defense: Nicholas Pomerleau, Twin City Thunder
The Thunder veteran Pomerleau (‘03/Lewiston, Maine) scored two power play goals in the Thunder’s 5-0 victory against the Islanders Hockey Club on Oct. 21. Between that game and the team’s 2-0 loss to the Northern Cyclones, he averaged 24:36 in ice time to lead the team and also registered 10 defensive takeaways over the weekend.
Goaltender: Pavel Grishin, Northern Cyclones
Grishin (‘03/Almaty, Kazakhstan) posted back-to-back shutouts against the South Shore Kings and Twin City Thunder, stopping 84 of 86 total shots between three games (including a later 8-2 win over the Kings) for a .977 save percentage. He stopped all 22 shots in the first of the two games against the Kings, and then 37 of 37 against the Thunder.
South Division
Forward: Tyler McNeil, Jersey Hitmen
McNeil (‘02/Valencia, Calif.) continues to lead the NCDC in scoring, after being one of the top scorers in the USPHL Premier last year for the Fresno Monsters, a true example of #USPHLAdvancement in action. McNeil posted three goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders in the first of two straight shutouts. He also had a 1-2-3 line on Oct. 22 against the Mercer Chiefs.
Defense: Jonah Copre, Rockets Hockey Club
The Rockets’ leading scorer recently put up a three-assist game to help the Rockets to a 2-1 weekend against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights this past weekend. Copre (‘03/Elgin, Ill.) stands with 17 points in 12 games for the Rockets, for whom he was also a +4 with eight takeaways on the weekend. Copre is a Quinnipiac University recruit.
Goaltender: J.J. Cataldo, Jersey Hitmen
Chalk up two more shutouts, as the veteran goalie continues to amaze, giving up only four goals through nine games this year. His last three games have been shutouts, but in the scope of this Players Of The Week, we’re looking at back-to-back 34-save shutouts against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders and Mercer Chiefs. The Stuart, Fla., native’s insane numbers are 0.44 for goals against average and .986 for save percentage.
