USPHL Premier Players Of The Week: South Region

Week of Nov. 8-14

Southeast Division 

Forward: Ethyn Hopp, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

Hopp (‘02/Edmonton, Alb.) continues to be a force for the Jr. Canes in his third year. He posted a hat trick on Sunday against the Hampton Roads Whalers to salvage a split weekend. He also had two assists in a 4-3 Saturday loss, and both performances were part of an overall 7-10-17 scoring streak over his last nine games. He is just four points away from hitting the career 100-point mark, and also five games away from 100. During the course of his current streak, he passed former Jr. Cane Justin Hall (91 points) to become the organization’s all-time highest scorer. 

Defense: Zachary Correia, Richmond Generals 

Another hearty third-year veteran, Correia (‘02/Brampton, Ont.) was No. 1 in ice time for the Generals as they defeated the defending National Champion Rockets Hockey Club in back-to-back games this past weekend at home, averaging 22:30 per game. Correia had his first goal of the season and an assist as well. He also saw 14 games this season with the NCDC’s WBS Knights. The Generals at 18-4-1-1 remain in first place overall in the USPHL Premier. 

Goaltender: Nick Anderson, Charlotte Rush

Anderson (‘03/Rochester, N.Y.) has already equaled his impressive 11-win total of 2021-22 by getting his 11th victory of the season recently as part of a two-win weekend against the Potomac Patriots. He stopped 71 out of a total of 76 shots by the Patriots as the Rush won 6-2, 6-3 (anyone for tennis?) Anderson is the current wins leader in the USPHL Premier. 

Florida Division 

Forward: Connor Nelson, Tampa Bay Juniors 

Nelson (‘02/Woodbury, Minn.) continues to be a leader for the Juniors, leading the team in scoring with 14 points in 17 games. He rang up 54 points in 44 games last season. This past weekend, he scored the first goal and added an assist in a 4-2 win against the Palm Beach Typhoon. Over his two-year career, Nelson has 68 points in 61 games. 

Defense: Martins Leps, Palm Beach Typhoon

Leps (‘02/Latvia) was a massive presence for the Typhoon in their split weekend which included a huge 6-5 shootout victory against the Florida Eels. He posted an assist in each of the two games, and led the team in ice time at 25:40 per contest. Overall, Leps has 13 points in 14 games this season. 

Goaltender: Ryan Melia, Florida Jr. Blades

In the Blades’ Nov. 13 win against the Infantry, Melia stood tall with 38 saves on 39 shots in his third start this year. Melia is a strong addition to the Jr. Blades this year coming out of the Tilton School in New Hampshire.