Summaries by Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com
Forwards
Spencer Barrow, Charlotte Rush
Barrow was easily the Southeast’s leading scorer during the month of January, outscoring all others in the division by no less than six points. He posted six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in just nine contests, hitting the scoresheet in all but the first game of the month for an eight-game point streak that closed with a nine-point weekend in Nashville. He has 47 points on the year in 36 games.
Brayden Strong, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes
Strong was Mr. Playmaker during the past month, putting up 14 assists to account for all of his points through nine January games. The big run of helpers put him at fourth in the league with 37 assists. Along with 13 goals, he has 50 points in 33 games. Seven of his assists came on the big stage that was the USPHL Tampa Showcase, and he closed with five assists against Hampton on Jan. 29.
Wesley Wilding, Richmond Generals
It’s not necessarily how many games you played (though there is a minimum of four for skaters for this honor), but how effective you were in those games. Wilding posted three goals and five assists for eight points, as the Generals won all four contests as part of an ongoing five-game winning streak.
Defense
Colby Markham, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes
Markham (‘05/Raleigh, N.C.) had another Colby Markham type of month, continuing to be among the league leaders in defenseman scoring by putting up a 2-9-11 line (and 40 points in 37 games overall). He also blocked seven shots and was a +5 during the Jr. Canes’ 7-2 month. That saw them remain tied for first in the whole USPHL Elite.
Wesley Sweitzer, Charlotte Rush
The Rush tied the Carolina Jr. Canes in points to grab a share of the Elite lead by early February. Look no further than Sweitzer as one main reason for this success. He registered 12 assists in the Rush’s nine games. He started with six helpers in the four games at the USPHL Tampa Showcase and just kept rolling from there. While he went +10 with six blocked shots, the Rush posted a 7-1-1-0 month.
Goaltender
Edward Kaiven, Potomac Patriots
The Patriots were another Southeast team that was very successful through last month, with a 5-1-1-1 record. Backstopping these efforts was the ‘03 from Washington, N.J., who went 2-0-1 with a .955 save percentage off 127 saves on 136 shots.
