Midwest Division
Forwards
Landon Graham, Metro Jets
Graham (‘05/Lake Orion, Mich.) enjoyed a productive 5-7-12 month in the Jets’ seven games, over which they posted a 6-1-0-0 record. A product of Lake Orion High School, he has put up 42 points this season, and 69 points in his 78-game USPHL career, which includes three games in the Premier with the Metro Jets Development Program – USPHL Advancement In Action!
Cory Anderson, Metro Jets
With 12 goals and 20 points in his last 12 games, Anderson has the fifth-longest active scoring streak in the Elite. Part of that streak were the eight goals and four assists for 12 points in the Jets’ seven January games. He now has 27 goals and 48 points in 40 games for the Jets.
Jeffrey Schroeder, Chicago Cougars
Schroeder (‘07/Hoffman Estates, Ill.) put up six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 11 games last month. A second-year Cougar, he has improved from 14 points last year to 43 points, a threefold increase in production. He also has two points in five Premier games with the Cougars’ top team, another example of USPHL Advancement in Action.
Honorable Mention: Christopher Frachalla, Chicago Crush
Defense:
Ryder Tracy, Metro Jets
Tracy (‘06/Tecumseh, Ont.) put up three goals and added five assists for the very successful Jets team in January. He has improved to 22 points in 35 games and has also seen USPHL Advancement In Action with three games up at the MJDP.
Connor Edwards, Chicago Crush
A product of the Madison Capitols AAA program, Edwards (‘07/Rockford, Ill.) put up three goals and five assists for eight points in 10 games, during which the Crush went 7-3-0-0 in January. He currently has 21 points in 38 games.
Honorable Mention: John Legebokoff, Metro Jets
Goaltender:
Daniel Gurtner, Chicago Crush
Gurtner (‘06/Berywn, Ill.) went 3-1-0-0, including a three-game winning streak, in January. He enjoyed a 21-save shutout against the Motor City Gamblers and a 36-save performance on 37 saves against the Chicago Cougars. He currently stands at 9-3-1-0, with a .931 save percentage.
Honorable Mention: Nate Maurin, Chicago Cougars
Selection Process: The division’s coaches are presented with a ballot form with statistical leaders (ranked by points per game average for skaters and save percentage for goaltenders) and vote on that form. The league takes the results of that vote and presents the coaches with the finalists, who are able to vote on further changes if desired.
Summaries by Joshua Boyd
