Week of Oct. 26, 2023
Games of Oct. 17-23, 2023
New England Division
Forward: Issa Murakami, Utica Jr. Comets
The second-year ‘04 Premier veteran from Tomokomai, Japan, was a massive presence for the Jr. Comets as they swept the Boston Junior Bruins in two games. He put up a total of three goals and added two assists for five points, a rate of production that pushed him over a point per game average with 12 points through 11 games.
Defense: Joey Demiglio, Utica Jr. Comets
The third-year junior veteran, an ‘03 out of Niles, Ill., posted a pair of goals and added three assists to match his teammate Murakami with a five-point weekend. He was also a +2 and blocked five shots. Demiglio currently has 15 points in 11 games, tied for fifth most points by a Premier defenseman.
Goaltender: Jean-Christophe Deslauriers, College Universel Gatineau
Deslauriers (‘05/Hawkesbury, Ont.) enjoyed a big performance in a 39-save win against the South Shore Kings on Oct. 22, getting some vengeance on a team that had defeated him in his first game on Sept. 24. He is 3-2 with a .919 save percentage and on a three-game winning streak.
Atlantic Division
Forward: Alexander Bexelius, Connecticut Jr. Rangers
Bexelius (‘03/Stockholm, Sweden) racked up three goals and three assists as the Jr. Rangers took two wins in a row against the Springfield Pics. Overall, Bexelius, who put up 42 points in 42 games last year, currently has 15 points in nine games this year.
Defense: A.J. Saadeh, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
A first-year junior player, Saadeh (‘04/Brossard, Que.) put together a weekend of three goals and and added one assist for four points as the Knights swept the Hershey Cubs. He’s racked up 11 goals and 15 points in 11 games, and leads all USPHL Premier defensemen in goals.
Goaltender: Cole Stevens, Elmira Impact
Stevens (‘05/Oakville, Ont.) had a huge performance in stopping 41 of 42 shots against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders, giving him a .976 save percentage for that game. Starting his season a bit later, he is 2-0 with a .926 save percentage so far.
