Week of Oct. 19
Oct. 10-16, 2023
New England Division
Forward: Tyler Zembrzycki, Springfield Pics
The third-year junior veteran Zembrzycki (‘03/East Islip, N.Y.) enjoyed another big week, which has helped him to 21 points through just nine games. He put together four goals and two assists for six points in two games, both wins against the Junior Bruins and Islanders Hockey Club. He has scored two goals the last four games and is on a six-game goal-scoring streak. He also has three first goals of games, which is tied for second best in the league.
Defense: Nick Zanin, Springfield Pics
A career Pic now in his sixth USPHL season, Zanin (‘04/West Stockbridge, Mass.) registered a goal and added two assists in three games, the aforementioned wins against an always strong IHC team and also against the perennially competitive Junior Bruins. Zanin has posted seven points in nine games of this, his second Premier and third junior season – all wearing the Red, White and Blue shield.
Goaltender: Cameron Prodin, Northern Cyclones
Prodin (‘04/Dearborn, Mich.) stopped 37 of 38 shots for a win when facing the Connecticut Jr. Rangers. He improved to a 2-1-0-0 record with a 2.52 GAA and a .922 save percentage early on for 2023-24.
Atlantic Division
Forward: Jake Gusavitch, Rockets Hockey Club
Gusavitch (‘04/Massapequa, N.Y.) is a second-year junior veteran who recently had a massive four-game stretch against the Jersey Hitmen, Hershey Cubs and Elmira Impact between Oct. 12 and 16. In each game, he scored at least one goal with double-goal outings on Oct. 12 vs. the Hitmen and Oct. 16 vs. Elmira, and overall his line was 6-2-8 for that run, over which the Rockets went 2-1-1. Gusavitch now has 13 points in 11 games.
Defense: Oliver Kiel, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Kiel (‘04/Herning, Denmark) helped the Knights to a three-point road weekend against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders, picking up a pair of assists, a +1 rating and he earned a blocked shot. Overall, the former Elite player – who helped the Knights reach the Elite National Championship game last spring – has five assists in nine Premier games.
Goaltender: Ryan Rhodes, Rockets Hockey Club
Rhodes (‘04/Ludlow, Mass.) earned a pair of victories – his first in junior hockey – in net during the Rockets’ recent four-game stretch, a 39-save victory vs. the Jersey Hitmen on Oct. 12 and a 44-save win against the Elmira Impact on Oct. 15. Overall, he ended up with a .953 save percentage after making 81 saves on 85 shots.
