USPHL Elite 2023-24 Midwest Division Players Of The Month

Summaries by Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com 

Forward: Jaden Yuknis, Chicago Crush

Yuknis (‘04/Lake Villa, Ill.) was clicking at nearly a two-point-per-game pace during December’s seven games, over which he put up six goals and added seven assists for 13 points. He scored all of these points actually in his final six games of the month, keeping that 6-7-13 scoring streak active heading into his first 2024 games. The third-year junior veteran has 25 points in 23 games this season for the first-year Crush Elite squad. 

Forward: Blake Botterill, Metro Jets 

Botterill (‘05/Clarkston, Mich.) was a great addition to the Jets organization from Clarkston High School, especially when he has stretches such as December’s five games that included a 4-6-10 line. He already has more goals this season than games played, with 22 in 20 games. That has helped him to a 56-point rookie junior season out of the gate. It’s also helped earn him five games with the USPHL Premier’s MJDP team, with whom he’s registered two assists. 

Forward: Peter Spiridonakos, Metro Jets

Spiridonakos (‘05/Laval, Que.) has been a huge find, along with his twin brother John, coming out of the Viking VC Hockey Academy, who are now affiliate members of the USPHL Elite. He has a 4-5-9 line for the five games he played in December. He has 22 goals and 56 points in 22 games – and he had three assists in four games with the MJDP during their run at the USPHL Las Vegas Showcase. 

Defense: Tyler Rentner, Chicago Crush

Rentner (‘05/Skokie, Ill.) put up a point per game pace during the month of December to help them go 6-1 for the month. He registered two goals and added five assists for seven points. A second-year member of the Crush organization, he has improved to 17 points in 23 games on the season. 

Defense: Jack Squire, Motor City Gamblers

Squire (‘06/Livonia, Mich.) has been one of the Gamblers’ top offensive weapons this season even from the blue line. As part of his 26 points in 25 games for the season, he registered a 1-5-6 line during a busy December of nine games, which included a trip to the USPHL Florida College Showcase. 

Goaltender: Zachary Robert, Metro Jets

Robert (‘04/Utica, Mich.) put together a strong month as part of a very talented Jets goaltending corps. He stopped 59 of 63 shots for a .937 save percentage and went 2-0, while registering a 2.00 goals against average. This included a 37-save performance on 39 shots against the Motor City Gamblers. Robert additionally earned a Premier win by stopping 25 of 26 shots against the Battle Creek Kernels while with the Metro Jets Development Program. For his Elite season, he is 7-1-1-0 with a 2.57 GAA and a .919 save percentage.

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