Week of Dec. 24
Games played Dec. 17-22
New England Division
Forward: Brendan Birmingham, Springfield Pics
The Springfield Pics scored a massive 11 points in their sole game this week on Dec. 21, and Birmingham (‘04/Ellington, Conn.) contributed two of those goals and registered four assists, including the game-winning goal. In his second Elite season, he’s played 61 games and has 52 points. With 30 points this season, he’s the leading scorer for the Springfield Pics.
Defense: John Christina, Springfield Pics
Christina (‘07/Manchester, Conn.) made his Elite debut on Dec. 21 and registered three assists to help the Springfield Pics dominate on Dec. 21. Christina regularly plays on the Pics’ Premier team, where he’s played 27 games and has six points.
Goaltender: Gavin Carpenter, Springfield Pics
Carpenter (‘07/South Hadley, Mass.) played a significant role in the Springfield Pics’ 11-1 win on Dec. 21, making 24 saves on 25 shots for a .960 save percentage. With 10 games played in his first Elite season, Carpenter has a .934 save percentage.
Atlantic Division
Forward: Michael Troiano, Connecticut Junior Rangers
The Connecticut Junior Rangers locked in a four-game win streak with big wins on Dec. 20 and 21. Troiano (‘05/Hamden, Conn.) was a key player this week, scoring three goals and posting two assists in the two games, including the game-winning goal on Dec. 21. Troiano is playing in his second season with the team, and he has garnered 45 points across 58 career games. With 16 points this season, he is the leading scorer for the Junior Rangers.
Defense: Zans Mednis, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights
Buranov (‘08/Riga, Latvia) helped the Knights continue a six-game win streak with two goals and one assist over two games this week. The rookie blueliner dished out three assists in a win over the Rockets Hockey Club in three different ways – even strength, shorthanded and on the power play. He now has 16 points in 25 games.
Goaltender: Brody Teitelbaum, Rockets Hockey Club
Teitelbaum (‘07/Livingston, N.J.) made 39 saves on 41 shots to help the Rockets Hockey Club win on Dec. 22, capturing a .951 save percentage and 1.94 goals against average. The rookie is 4-3-0-0 in his first season, with a .906 save percentage and one shutout to his name.
Midwest Division
Forward: Phoenix Glover-Fontaine, Motor City Gamblers
Glover-Fontaine (‘05/Oshawa, Ont.) made his Elite debut with four games this week, making a statement with the Motor City Gamblers in the process. He registered his first career goal and posted one assist. Glover-Fontaine has also played in the Premier League with the Gamblers.
Defense: August Emerick, Motor City Gamblers 4GP 1G 0A 1PT
On the defensive side, Emerick (‘06/Tampa Bay, Fla.) scored a power-play goal on Dec. 21 to boost his season tally to five. Emerick has played 22 games with the Motor City Gamblers’ Elite team and one with their Premier team.
Goaltender: Tyler Houle, Motor City Gamblers
Houle (‘07/Warren, Mich.) made 42 saves on 45 shots for a .933 save percentage on Dec. 21, garnering a 2.78 goals against average. In his second season with the Motor City Gamblers, Houle is 4-3-0-1. He has a .917 career save percentage.
Selection Process: Divisional statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who are able to vote on the leaders, or nominate and vote on alternate candidates.
Summaries by Taylor Dean
