Week of Dec. 9, 2023
Games of Dec. 1-5, 2023
Atlantic Division
Forward: Patrick Devaney, Jersey Hitmen
Devaney (‘06/West Caldwell, N.J.) registered a hat trick on Dec. 2, scoring a power play goal, a shorthanded goal and an empty net goal. It was Devaney’s third hat trick of the year, with those nine goals accounting for half of his total of 18. He also added a goal and an assist in one of the two games against Elmira for the three-game weekend. Devaney stands with 34 points in 22 games.
Defense: Isaac Yurkanin, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Yurkanin (‘04/Mesa, Ariz.) registered the first goal and two assists of his season for three points in a pair of wins against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. He has helped the Knights go 4-0 to bridge November and December.
Goaltender: Tony Macaluso, Rockets Hockey Club
Macaluso (‘03/Monmouth Beach, N.J.) took a 26-save win on 27 shots against the Elmira Impact to improve to 4-3-0-0 with a .920 save percentage.
New England Division
Forward: Nick Nardone, Northern Cyclones
Nardone (‘04/Methuen, Mass.) started off the new month extremely well, registering a goal and two assists in a win against the Boston Junior Bruins. Nardone played with the Cyclones 16U and 18U teams the past couple seasons and has 22 points in 19 games this year.
Defense: Owen Kneeland, Northern Cyclones
Nardone’s former Methuen High School teammate Kneeland was also important to the Cyclones’ win to kick off December. He posted a goal and an assist and helped the Cyclones to a shutout in which the Junior Bruins were only allowed nine shots on goal. Kneeland (‘05) has 12 points in 16 games at the Elite level and one assist in six Premier games.
Goaltender: Mateo Lachance, Springfield Pics
Lachance (‘05/Haddam Neck, Conn.) registered his first junior win when he stopped 43 of 46 shots in an overtime win against the Boston Junior Bruins on Dec. 3. He has been generally solid with a save percentage of .919.
