USPHL Premier Players Of The Week: Midwest Region

Games of Nov. 15-22

Midwest West Division

(Summaries by Jim Den Hollander)

Forward: Keanu McClanahan, Isanti Outlaws

The Outlaws enjoyed another solid Showcase Weekend in Detroit, capturing wins in three of four games and McClanahan (‘05/Greensboro, N.C.) played a big part in that, collecting five goals and 10 points in four weekend contests. It’s not the first time the young player has had a big game for the Outlaws. He has played in all 20 games and recorded 28 points, including a dozen goals, good enough for fourth best total on the team that took over top spot in the Midwest-West Division with its strong performance in Detroit.

Defense: Peyton Andrews, Isanti Outlaws

Andrews (‘04/Cambridge, Minn.) also enjoyed a big weekend offensively and did a strong job in his own end as well at the Detroit Showcase, helping limit the four opposition team chances while putting up three goals and 11 points of his own. Andrews has also appeared in all 20 Outlaws’ games this season. The three weekend goals doubled his output, and he has 28 points at the break.

Goaltender: Lucas Brine, Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings

Brine (‘02/Oxshott, Great Britain) kicked out all 21 shots he faced at Ridder Arena Friday night, leading the Riverkings to a 3-0 win and a sweep in its weekend set against the host Minnesota Mullets. The shutout was the first of the season for Brine, but he has been the go-to goalie for the team, collecting seven wins in 11 starts with a 2.26 Goals Against Average and a save percentage of .947.

Midwest East Division

(Summaries By Miles Regan)

Forward: Nick Lafornara, Motor City Gamblers 

The ‘02 forward from Buffalo, N.Y., performed well at the Detroit Showcase. He recorded seven points over four games, helping the Gamblers finish the weekend with a 2-1-1 record. Lafornara’s five goals brought his season total to 15, the most of any Gambler skater. 

Defense: Sam Tetreault, Fort Wayne Spacemen

Fort Wayne’s Quebec-born defenseman led the charge for the Spacemen during a very successful 4-0 weekend at the USPHL Detroit Showcase. Tetreault scored the overtime winner against Steele County on Sunday and added three assists over the course of Fort Wayne’s three other Showcase victories. The ‘02 blueliner’s team leads the Midwest East standings with 26 points.

Goaltender: Bryce Dunnigan, Fort Wayne Spacemen

Dunnigan had a fantastic Showcase, helping Fort Wayne secure big wins over Metro Jets and the Steele County Blades. The ‘02 Bakersfield, Ca., native allowed just one goal against the Metro Jets and made a pair of huge saves in overtime against Steele County. He stopped 71 of 75 shots on the weekend. 

Great Lakes Division 

(Summaries by Lexi Obrycki) 

Forward: Bryce Kolpien, Columbus Mavericks

Over the weekend, third year USPHL player Bryce Kolpien (‘02/Corning, N.Y.) doubled his goals for the season. Kolpien had a great weekend at the Detroit Showcase scoring three goals and two assists over the 4 games. With one of those goals being the game winning goal in Columbus 3-1 victory against the Battle Creek Kernels Saturday night.

Defense: Dominik McNamara, Toledo Cherokee

McNamara, who is a third-year Cherokee veteran, showed off not only what he can do on the defensive side but as well as the offensive side over the past weekend. In the four games that the Cherokee played – and won – Dominik had five goals and two assists. McNamara (‘02/Gibraltar, Mich.) is currently the leading defenseman on Toledo’s roster for goals.

Goaltender: Blake Mitchell, Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones

During the Detroit Showcase, Mitchell (‘02/Liberty Township, Mich.) had a fantastic 2-1 weekend. One of those wins being Friday nights shootout win against the Chicago Crush. When it came down to the overtime and the shootout Mitchell stood strong in net to help lead his team to a victory.