USPHL Premier 2023-24 New England Division Players Of The Month 

Summaries by Joshua Boyd / NCDCHockey.com 

Forward: Dominick Balboni, Springfield Pics

Six years in the USPHL and four years in the Premier have made Balboni a true veteran leader for the organization he grew up in. The ‘03 from right in West Springfield, Mass., (same town as the Olympia Ice Arena), Balboni racked up six goals and added 10 assists for 16 points in seven games, good for a 2.28 points per game average in November. Coach Rob Bonneau puts a ton of trust in Balboni, as he led the team in ice time with 19:33 per game. He also fired a team-high 30 shots on goal last month. He has 125 points in 122 career Premier contests. 

Forward: Justin Tremblay, Northern Cyclones

The Cyclones forward put up 2.67 points per game in his six contests, registering four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in November. He has only missed the scoresheet once this season and stands on an 11-game, 23-point streak still active after his first December action. During November, his +12 was second on the team. Tremblay, a returning member of the 2023 National Champions, has 79 points in 58 career games. 

Forward: Billy Dougherty, Northern Cyclones

Dougherty, another member of last year’s National Championship team, returned this year and remained red hot for the defending title-winners. The sixth-year USPHL veteran and two-year Premier veteran registered three goals and 11 assists for 14 points, good for 2.33 points per game over the Cyclones’ six games last month. He is on a nine-game, 18-point scoring streak after his early December action and going back to Oct. 29. His 17:34 per game led all Cyclones forwards, his +13 led the squad and his 42 faceoff wins were also tops for Northern. 

Defense: Leonard Jamfa, Northern Cyclones

Jamfa (‘04/Repentigny, Que.), a second-year junior in his first year with the Cyclones, played a big role in the Cyclones’ 6-0 run through their November schedule. He put up two goals and added five assists for seven points, good for a 1.17 points per game average. That contributed to an overall total of eight points, thanks to scoring points in five of the six games last month. His +8 was second among Cyclones blueliners in November, as well. 

Defense: Mederic Berteau, College Universel Gatineau

Berteau (‘04/St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) has been a fantastic addition along with his Premier squad from Gatineau, Quebec. Universel earned points in their last three games of the month, and Berteau put up a goal and five assists in six points in six games. His 11 shots on goal led the team as well, and he now has 17 points through 21 games this year. 

Goaltender: Maximilian Pierce, Northern Cyclones 

Pierce (‘04/Harrison Township, Mich.) got into three games and won each of the three with a .924 save percentage thanks in large part to making 73 saves on 79 shots. He was amazingly consistent for the games with two straight 24-save performances and then a 25-save win. Overall, Pierce – who moved from last year’s Elite squad to Premier this year – is 5-2-0-0 in the Premier. 

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