USPHL Premier Players Of The Week: Northeast Region

Week of Oct. 24

Games of Oct. 15-21

 

New England Division

Forward: Justin Hooper, Springfield Pics

Hooper (‘05/Coconut Creek, Fla.) put up three goals and three assists in a two-game (Oct. 18-19) series against the Worcester Railers JHC. His 23 points in 11 games ties him for a spot in the top 15 league-wide. 

 

Defense: Nick Zanin, Springfield Pics

A repeat winner here, Zanin (‘04/West Stockbridge, Mass.) improved to third among league defensemen with 19 points, after he posted a 1-4-5 line in the series against the Railers this past week.  

 

Goaltender: Ethan Jourden, Northern Cyclones

Third-year Cyclones goalie Jourden (‘04/Arnold, Mo.) moved up to ninth all-time in USPHL Premier goalie wins with his 39th, when he defeated the rival Islanders on Oct. 16 with 43 saves on 45 shots in 65 minutes of team action, and then he stopped all five shootout attempts for a win. 

 

Atlantic Division

Forward: Liam Coutu, Elmira Impact

Coutu (‘06/Granby, Que.) had a huge weekend for the Impact, as he registered three assists on Oct. 19, followed on Sunday by a 2-2-4 performance, which included the GWG, which helped the Impact claim first in the division. He currently has 18 points in 11 games this season. 

 

Defense: Colin Lokitis, Hershey Cubs 

Second-year Cubs blueliner Lokitis (‘05/Marion Heights, Pa.) had a great run of three games, scoring two goals and two assists including a GWG on Oct. 18. He currently has six points in 11 games. Lokitis formerly played for the Palmyra Black Nights in the USPHL 15U and 16U Divisions (now the Tier 1Hockey Federation 15U and 16U Divisions). 

 

Goaltender: Elijah Wiltshire, West Chester Wolves

Wiltshire (‘05/Palm Harbor, Fla.) stopped all 25 shots he faced from the Canada Division-leading Hawkesbury Knights, and also put up a strong performance against the league-leading Charlotte Rush with 33 saves on 36 shots in a loss. He is 2-1-1-0 with a .928 save percentage. 

 

Canada Division

Forward: Victor Proulx, Universel Sherbrooke

Proulx (‘06/Trois-Rivieres, Que.) registered three goals and added two assists for a five-point showing at the USPHL Jersey Hitmen Classic. He is on an eight-game point streak (5-5-10) and has 17 points overall this season. 

 

Defense: William Cotton, Hawkesbury Knights 

Cotton (‘07/Marieville, Que.) is no stranger to this honor, winning two weeks earlier. At the USPHL Jersey Hitmen Classic, he scored twice and added one assist for three points. He holds a 6-9-15 line over 16 games this season. 

 

Goaltender: Simon Thibault, Universel Sherbrooke

Second-year Universel veteran Thibault (‘Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.) stopped 66 of 71 shots in going 1-1 at the USPHL Jersey HItmen Classic. He stopped 38 of 40 shots for a 4-2 win over the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings, a team that made the 2024 Nationals. He also stopped 28 of 31 against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. 

 

Selection Process: Divisional statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who are able to nominate and vote on alternate candidates. 

Summaries by Joshua Boyd