Forwards
Tyler Schmitt, Isanti Outlaws
The Outlaws enter December as the top team in the Midwest West division and Schmitt (‘03/Big Lake, Minn.) played a major part in the team’s rise. The Outlaws played nine times in November, winning seven. Schmitt suited up for all nine games, collecting points in the first eight. In fact, the loss to the Steele County Blades last Wednesday (Nov. 23) brought a sudden end to an 18-game scoring streak. Schmitt collected five goals and 20 points in the month and that has vaulted him to fourth spot overall in league scoring.
Jack Pojar, Minnesota Squatch
While he might not be the top scorer in the month, Pojar (‘02/Osseo, Minn.) is without a doubt the hottest player right now. After a furious start to the season, the Squatch played just five times in November, winning three. Pojar is coming off hat tricks in his past two games and collected three points in four of the five games this month.
In all, the forward has racked up nIne goals and 13 points in the month and his season totals so far are 24 goals and 46 points, good enough to rank him seventh overall in league scoring.
Jake McAlpine, Minnesota Squatch
All eyes have been on McAlpine (‘02/Mounds View, MInn.) since day one this season and he continues to lead the league in scoring. In five November games, McAlpine notched five goals and 12 points, and he continues to lead the league in scoring with 36 goals and 61 points through 17 games played. He partners with Pojar and Daniek Ellingson to form he league’s most potent line.
Defensemen
Peyton Andrews, Isanti Outlaws
Andrews (‘04/Cambridge, Minn.) enjoyed almost as big a month as Schmitt while patrolling the blue line and it will be interesting to see how far they can take the team in the second half. The young D-man exploded in November with 12 assists and 16 points, tops among Midwest West defenders and vaulting him to eighth spot among league defenders with six goals and 29 points.
Jacob Jakusz, Hudson Havoc
The Havoc are one of the best defensive teams in the league, allowing just 22 goals against through its first 16 games and Jakusz (‘02/Weston, Wis.) has contributed to that as well as the team’s offense. Jakusz led all Midwest West defenders with a +6 rating through eight November contests and his two goals and six points was the third best total among division defenders. He appeared in just 10 games last season but his five goals and 17 points through 16 so far this year, putting him on pace to challenge the 38 points he put up as a defender in 2020-21.
Goaltender
Lucas Brine, Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings
Brine (‘02/Oxshott, Great Britain) appeared in three games for the Riverkings in November and came up with some awesome efforts including his most recent game, a 21-save shutout against the Minnesota Mullets Nov. 18. His other games were back-to-back against the Havoc and he stopped 47 of 49 in the second, helping the Kings to a 3-2 win, snapping a nine-game season opening winning streak for the Hudson crew. In all, Brine kicked out 117 of 123 shots and his save percentage through the trio was .951.
