Forwards
Brendan Birmingham, Springfield Pics
Birmingham (‘04/Ellington, Conn.) surpassed his 50th career point in December, adding 11 points to his season tally of 32. He averaged 2.20 points per game in December and continues to cement himself as a key player for the Springfield Pics. He has 54 career points across 62 games over two Elite seasons.
Brady Stevens, Northern Cyclones
Stevens (‘05/Newburyport, Mass.) is a standout rookie for the Northern Cyclones this season, with 33 points over 26 games in his first season. He added 10 over six games in December, scoring five goals and five assists for a 1.67 points per game average. He is the team’s points leader so far this season.
Vincenzo Saporito, Northern Cyclones
Saporito (‘06/Stoneham, Mass.) averaged 1.67 points per game in December, scoring three goals and seven assists over six games. In his first Elite season with the Northern Cyclones, he has 11 points to his name over 10 games played.
Forward Honorable Mention: Rhett Micallef, Islanders Hockey Club
Defense
Brady Dunn, Islanders Hockey Club
Dunn (‘05/Pittsburgh, Penn.) scored eight points over four games last month to average 2.00 points per game and bump his season tally to 21 points. The blueliner has 19 games under his belt in his first Elite season with the Islanders Hockey Club.
Jackson Bulthaup, Northern Cyclones
Bulthaup (‘05/Big Rock, Ill.) is making statements in his first Elite season with the Northern Cyclones. The blueliner scored two goals and three assists over six games last month, adding to his season total of 24 points. He has 26 games and counting with the Cyclones this season.
Defense Honorable Mention: Justin Pniewski, Islanders Hockey Club
Goaltender
Gavin Carpenter, Springfield Pics
Carpenter (‘07/South Hadley, Mass.) garnered a .945 save percentage in December, making 69 saves on 73 shots for a 2.00 goals against average. In his first season with the Springfield Pics, the rookie goaltender is 3-6-0-1 with a .930 save percentage so far this season.
Goaltender Honorable Mention: Ryan McNeil, 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 coaches with the finalists, who are able to vote on further changes if desired.
Summaries By Taylor Dean