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USPHL Premier Players Of The Week: South Region

Week of Feb. 1, 2025

Games of Jan. 21-27, 2025

 

Florida Division

Forward: Onni Puikkonen, Tampa Bay Juniors

Puikkonen (‘05/Tampere, Finland) put up a 1-5-6 line for the division-leading Juniors against the Bold City Battalion last weekend, including a 1-3-4 line with the GWG on Sunday. He has 29 points in 18 games this season. 

 

Defense: Ian Dracoulis, Florida Eels 

Dracoulis (‘04/San Antonio, Texas), who has been playing in the USPHL since 2020, put up three assists during the Eels’ sweep of the Florida Jr. Blades. He has posted 17 points in 32 games this year, almost doubling his points total of 2023-24. 

 

Goaltender: Russ DeCoste, Florida Eels 

DeCoste (‘05/Halifax, N.S.) faced an absolute hailstorm of shots on Jan. 25 against the Blades, but turned away 45 of the 46 shots faced for a strong .983 save percentage. He would also go on to share in two wins at the USPHL All-Star Event for the Southeast/Florida team. 

 

Southeast Division 

Forward: Matteo Viglino, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 

Viglino (‘04/Davos, Switzerland) put up two goals and three assists for a five-point weekend during a split with the Potomac Patriots. With 33 points this year, he has more than tripled his previous career best and he has 43 points in 67 career games. 

 

Defense: Marshall Beaker, Charlotte Rush

A recent player in the USPHL Premier All-Star event, Beaker (‘04/Brighton, Mich.) registered a goal and an assist in a 5-1 victory against the rival Hampton Roads Whalers. He has 17 points in 19 games with the Rush this year. 

 

Goaltender: Nate McAlpine, Hampton Roads Whalers

McAlpine (‘06/Anaconda, Mont.) turned away 46 of 47 shots as the Whalers came back from their 5-1 loss to win 3-1 on Jan. 26 to split their weekend with the Rush. He has a 7-2-1-1 record with a .926 save percentage this year.

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 Joshua Boyd 

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