By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
Selection Process: The league media office sends statistical leaders to divisional coaches for review and coaches either approve or challenge the nominations.
Forward: Noak Persson, Fresno Monsters
Persson (‘03/Solleftea, Sweden) finished his time in USPHL Premier regular seasons as the greatest offensive force the league has ever seen. In just two seasons, he ripped home 126 goals and 240 points, both league records. Also a league best mark is his points per game average of 3.75, as are his single-season records of 85 goals and 147 points. He closed up shop in February with 23 goals and 18 assists for 41 points in nine games, for an average 4.56 points per game. He goes into Thursday evening just two wins away from making his Nationals debut, if the Monsters can squeak by the Ontario Jr. Reign.
Forward: Tristan Frizado, San Diego Sabers
Frizado (‘05/Mirabel, Que.) put up an outstanding run of 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points over nine games, giving him an average of 3.78 points per game. Frizado closed the season with 34 goals and 98 points in 34 games, skating an average of 30:09 per game, tops among Sabers forwards. He also tied for the team lead in plus-minus (+10).
Forward: Mario Paganini, San Diego Sabers
Paganini (‘03/Harrison, N.Y.) finished the season with the Premier’s longest scoring streak, going 31 games from Oct. 14 to the close of the season, registering 104 points over that course – and with two teams, as he was acquired during the season from Vernal. His February output was 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points in nine games. He shared in the team lead in plus-minus at +10.
Defense: Tim Gradin, San Diego Sabers
Gradin (‘04/Sweden) was a rare midseason signing of a European new to North America, as he joined out of the Swedish club AIK Harnosand in November. During February, Gradin put up five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in nine games, and he finished the season with 40 points in 25 games. He also led the team in time on ice in February, with 31:06.
Defense: Steven Blengino, Fresno Monsters
Blengino (‘03/Martinez, Calif.) racked up three goals and added 12 assists for a 15-point month in his 11 February games, giving him ultimately 84 points in 44 games this season, good for fourth in the USPHL Premier among defensemen. His two-year total amounts to 100 assists and 141 points in 84 games. He led the Monsters in ice time per game at 25:37 during February.
Goaltender: Sam Peterson, Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Peterson (‘03/Phoenix, Ariz.) was unbeaten during the month of February, going 4-0 with 200 saves on 207 shots for the month, giving him a .966 save percentage. The second-year T-Bird went 15-5-0-0 with a .924 save percentage. The four-game winning streak was his second of at least that length, as he also went 5-0 between Dec. 9 and Jan. 12.
