USPHL Premier Players Of The Week: Northeast Region

Week of Feb. 9, 2025

Games of Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2025

New England Division 

Forward: Egor Sapozhnikov, Boston Jr. Rangers

Sapozhnikov (‘06/Yekaterinburg, Russia) sported a line of three goals and five assists for eight points in four games. He currently has 40 points in 33 games. 

 

Defense: Trevor Belak, Northern Cyclones

Belak (‘04/Pittsburgh, Pa.) sent home two goals and put up three assists for five points during his team’s four games at the Northern Cyclones Showcase. The Wilkes University recruit has 40 points in 38 games, and he also scored two goals at the USPHL Premier All-Stars game. 

 

Goaltender: Thomas Cafarelli, Islanders Hockey Club 

Cafarelli (‘06/Portland, Ore.) stopped all 49 saves he faced during his two games at the Northern Cyclones Showcase. He made 23 stops against the Montreal Black Vees and 26 stops against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. He is 8-1-0-0 this year with a .956 save percentage. 

 

Canada Division 

Forward: Wilhem Lajeunesse, Somang Hockey 

Lajeunesse (‘04/Grand-Remous, Que.) scored three goals and added six assists for nine points in Somang’s three games at the Northern Cyclones Showcase. This included a six-point showing against the Thunder Hockey Club. He now has 16 points in nine games. 

 

Defense: Jasmin Tremblay, Montreal Black Vees

Tremblay (‘05/Barraute, Que.) joined the Black Vees in January and has been a huge addition, as he has contributed eight points in his first nine games. 

 

Goaltender: George Foti, Hawkesbury Knights 

Another January addition to his team, Foti (‘06/Laval, Que.) made 69 saves on 71 shots in going 1-1 at the Northern Cyclones, including a 35-save shutout Jan. 31 against a strong Springfield Pics team. He is now 3-1-0-0 with a .946 save percentage. 

 

Atlantic 

Forward: Michael Bottrell, Elmira Impact

Bottrell (‘04/Everett, Ont.) was extremely generous during the Impact’s recent series with the Potomac Patriots, putting up seven assists in two games. During his active 11-game scoring streak over which he’s produced 24 points. He has 59 points in 40 games this season. 

 

Defense: Jett Carroll, Elmira Impact 

Carroll (‘05/Surrey, B.C.) put up three goals and two assists for five points and he has improved to 16 points in 10 games since joining from the PCJHL. 

 

Goaltender: Gusts Valantis, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 

Valantis (‘06/Riga, Latvia) stopped all 24 shots he saw from the Jersey Hitmen on Jan. 31. He improved to 12-9-0-0 on the season. 

 

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