USPHL Premier 2023-24 Florida Division Players Of The Month: December 2023

Summaries By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com 

Forward: Bryson Walz, Bold City Battalion 

The ‘06 from Rockford, Ill., had a monstrous December when he put up eight goals and added four assists for 12 points in nine games, giving a 1.33 points per game. He led all Battalion forwards in ice time last month with 18:41 per game and won 87 faceoffs out of his 173 attempts. Defensively, he was also adept with five blocked shots and a +5. For the season, he has 19 goals and 30 points in his first 28 junior games. 

Forward: Noah Trathen, Florida Eels

The local product, an ‘03 out of Fort Myers, Fla.., had another fantastic run through the past month, registering a 5-4-9 line over seven games for a 1.29 points per game average. He put 22 shots on goal during the month, which was good for a 22.7 shooting percentage. Trathen first joined his hometown Eels in 2021-22 for 96 points in 85 career Premier games. 

Forward: Grant Parshall, Tampa Bay Juniors

Parshall (‘03/Wheeling, W.V.) was outstanding especially in the faceoff circle for the Juniors, winning 113 out of 172 draws (66 percent success rate). He put up a 3-7-10 line in eight games, for a 1.25 points per game. His 18:39 of average ice time per game was second among Juniors forwards last year, as he improved to 23 points in 17 games. For his three-year career, he has 36 points in 32 Premier games. 

Defense: Hugo Rova, Bold City Battalion 

Rova, an ‘03 out of Sweden, remains one of the league’s top all-around blueliners as he has helped lift the first-year Battalion to No. 1 in the Florida Division. He averaged 26:06 per game throughout December while putting up two goals and eight assists for 10 points in nine games. He registered a +5 and 10 hits, both good for second on the team. In his first North American season, he has 35 points in 28 games. 

Defense: Augie Ashley, Tampa Bay Juniors 

Ashley (‘04/Southampton, U.K.) was extremely productive during the past month, registering points in seven of his eight games for a 3-6-9 line. All three of his goals were power play goals, comprising the majority of his five goals on the season. He currently has 17 points in 25 games in this, his second North American junior season. 

Goaltender: Sam Edmands, Atlanta MadHatters

Edmands (‘03/Richmond Hill, Ont.) was a powerful presence for the MadHatters, who made 134 saves on 140 shots, giving him a .957 save percentage. He went 3-1-0-0 during the month of December, including a 27-save shutout against the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes. He also was strong even in a loss, making 32 saves on 34 shots against the defending National Champion Northern Cyclones during the 2023 USPHL Florida College Showcase. He is 7-4-0-1 on the season and holds a .941 save percentage. 

Selection Process: The league media office sends top candidates to divisional coaches for review and coaches either approve or challenge the nominations.