Columbia Infantry To Join Southeast Division In USPHL Premier, Elite Conferences

by Joshua Boyd

May 7, 2023

By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com The USPHL and the Columbia Infantry are proud to announce that the Infantry will be moving to the Southeast Division in each of the USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite Conferences for the 2023-24 season. The move came about as the Nashville Spartans have recently moved from the Southeast to […]

Forward: Liam Hanna, Potomac Patriots

Hanna (‘03/Fredericksburg, Va.) stands as the top scorer in terms of career points among current players in the USPHL Elite, standing with 147 points in 136 games. He built upon the totals by registering six goals and six assists for 12 points in six games. He’s already matched his career high of 44 points, and he’s only 21 games in. He has the runway to potentially become the league’s all-time leading scorer. He took care of both ends of the ice well, tying for second on the team in plus-minus at +10.

Forward: Ilya Biesiedin, Potomac Patriots

Biesiedin (‘05/Kharkov, Ukraine) has split the season evenly between the USPHL Elite and USPHL Premier Patriots, skating in 11 games apiece. Biesiedin registered a 2-5-7 line during his four games during the month of November, and he also had one assist in two games. He helped the Patriots Elite team go 5-1 during the month and help the Premier team stay on their 20-0-2-0 run this season.

Forward: Luke Moses, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

Moses (‘03/Fort Bragg, N.C.) was good for two per game in November, posting three goals and five assists for eight points in four contests. His biggest goal was very likely the GWG to help the defending National Champion Junior Hurricanes defeat the Charlotte Rush outdoors at Truist Field on Nov. 18. Moses’ +5 led the team, as did his 20 shots on goal. Moses had 21 points in 13 games this season and he has 78 points in 85 career games in his three Elite seasons.

Defense: Yaroslav Alifanov, Potomac Patriots

Alifanov (‘04/Chelyabinsk, Russia) hit the ice for five Patriots Elite games in November, putting up five assists during the month. He was a regular on the blue line for the 5-1 Patriots, pushing his blades for 20:07 on average per game, second on the team’s defensive corps. His seven blocked shots were second on the squad as well. Points-wise, he stands with 14 points in 19 games.

Defense: Colby Markham, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

The returning National Champion skated in all four of the Jr. Canes’ games during the month and posted a 1-3-4 line, and he’s continued that scoring streak into December. Markham (‘05/Raleigh, N.C.) has always been a regular presence for Carolina since first skating with the team last year, averaging 26:39 per game, second most minutes on the team. He led the team in November in total power play and total shorthanded time. He has racked up 23 points in 17 games, and he has also played in three Premier games this season.

Goaltender: Jean Berthaudin, Hampton Roads Whalers

The ‘03 out of St-Rose-du-Lac, Man., came up with a couple massive wins for his team, with a 31-save shutout against Richmond being the gem of the month during the Whalers’ four-game schedule. Overall, he stopped 58 of 60 shots during his time in net. That gave him a 6-3-0-0 overall record on the season with a .947 save percentage.

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

Summaries by Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Forward: Arnaud Bourgeois-Barry, Palm Beach Typhoon

The Typhoon went 1-1-1-1 in November, and a big reason they earned points in three of the four games was the play of the ‘05 from Quebec. The first-year junior player registered five goals and four assists for nine points in four games, giving him a 2.3 points per game average for the month. He finished with five goals in his final two games of the month, with game-winners in both matches, including one in OT against Bold City. His +1 rating was also good for a tie for second on the Typhoon.

Forward: Frankie Murano, Palm Beach Typhoon

Not far behind Bourgeois-Barry in the scoring leaderboard was his teammate Murano, a second-year Typhoon from Boca Raton, Fla., who registered four goals and added two assists for six points in November’s four games. He fired 14 shots on goal, which gave him an outstanding 28.6 shooting percentage. In addition, Murano also led the Typhoon in plus-minus with a +2 rating for November.

Forward: Fynn O’Neill, Florida Eels

An ‘03 from Calgary, Alb., O’Neill has become a go-to forward quickly in his first season for the Eels. He registered three goals and five assists for eight points in six games for the Eels, who went 3-3 in November. He enjoyed a five-assist game against the Florida Jr. Blades on Nov. 12. He has also been massive in the faceoff circle, winning 71 of his 104 draws in November for a 68 percent success rate. He also blocked three shots, second among Eels forwards. O’Neill has scored 20 points in 20 games this season.

Defense: Connor Lynch, Palm Beach Typhoon

Another key contributor to the Typhoon’s November was the ‘04 defenseman from Lindenhurst, N.Y. In his four games, he put up five assists including two in the Typhoon’s 4-2 victory against the Florida Eels. He assisted on Bourgeois-Barry’s opening goal and on his hat trick goal, which was also the GWG. Lynch’s 32:42 of average ice time per game led all the Typhoon during November, and his 12 blocked shots was good for second on the team.

Defense: Sean Burke, Florida Eels

The second-year Eels blueliner Burke (‘03/Wellesley, Mass.) was another who led their team in average ice time in November, registering an average of 26:30 per game. He also led the Eels defensemen with five assists in his six games, and 21 shots on goal. His six blocked shots were good for tops among all the Florida Eels. He has 11 assist sin 11 games and has also skated in eight Premier Eels games this year.

Goaltender: Ethan Carlone, Tampa Bay Juniors

A returning Southeast Division All-Star, Carlone has certainly looked the part as he went 3-0 for the Tampa Bay Juniors during the month of November. The ‘04 from Tecumseh, Ont., stopped 96 of 100 shots faced for a .960 save percentage and a 1.33 goals against average last month. Among his best performances was a 39-save performance on 40 shots in the team’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta on Nov. 17.

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

Summaries By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Week of Nov. 24, 2023

Games of Nov. 14-20, 2023

Midwest Division

Forward: Peter Spiridonakos, Metro Jets

Spiridonakos (‘05/Laval, Que.) spread the fire around the entire USPHL Detroit Showcase, registering four goals and seven assists for 11 points over his three games played. He started with two assists against Fort Wayne on Nov. 18, and then posted a 2-3-5 line against the Chicago Crush and 2-2-4 against the Chicago Cougars both on Nov. 19. On the days he didn’t play for the Elite Jets, he got call-ups to the Premier Metro Jets Development Program, registering the GWG for the MJDP against the Minnesota Blue Ox on Nov. 16 and registering an assist against the Minnesota Moose on Nov. 17. He also skated with MJDP on Nov. 20 against Wisconsin Rapids.

Defense: Jack Gardner, Chicago Cougars

Gardner, an ‘06 blueliner, enjoyed helping the Cougars to a 2-1-1-0 outcome at the USPHL Detroit Showcase. He put up the Cougars’ first goal in their loss to the Metro Jets, and also posted two assists on the first of three goals in a 3-0 shutout of Decatur.

Goaltender: Justin Mackley, Fort Wayne Spacemen

Mackley (‘04/Avondale, Pa.) put up a terrific performance at the USPHL Detroit Showcase, going 1-1 with a .938 save percentage and a 2.00 GAA in two games. He stopped 33 of 36 in an eventual 4-1 loss to the Metro Jets and bounced back with stopping 27 of 28 in a 2-1 victory over the Elmira Impact on Nov. 19. He is 4-3-0-0 with a 2.14 GAA and a .936 save percentage for the season.

North American Prep Hockey League Division

Forward: Jack Norman, Simcoe County Hockey Academy

Norman (‘07/Oro-Medonte, Ont.) helped Simcoe County gain their first USPHL Elite victories at their second showcase, and finish out with a 2-2 record, thanks to his six-goal performance over four games. He had single goals against Springfield and Connecticut, including the GWG against Connecticut. He closed out with a pair of two-goal games against the Boston Junior Bruins and the WBS Knights.

Defense: Arthur Sevigny, College Universel Gatineau

Sevigny (‘07/Blainville, Que.) was a huge help for College Universel Gatineau’s Elite squad, registering three goals and adding two assists for five points. Gatineau also gave up a total of just three goals in their first three games before struggling against a powerful Northern Cyclones team in their closing game on Nov. 19. He also has played in three USPHL Premier games for Gatineau.

Goaltender: Maxence Nadon, Crystal Beach Academy

Nadon (‘06/Boucherville, Que.) posted a strong 3-0 record to help Crystal Beach sweep their inaugural USPHL event, the Islanders Hockey Club Showcase. Overall, he stopped 77 out of 84 total shots for a .917 save percentage. Crystal Beach Academy will try to build on this success when they return to USPHL Elite play in February at the Northern Cyclones Showcase.

Week of Nov. 24, 2023

Games of Nov. 14-20, 2023

Summaries by Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

New England Division

Forward: Noah Malcolm, Northern Cyclones

The second-year ‘03 from Londonderry, N.H., has been the go-to man pretty much from Day 1 of this season. In the three games he played at the IHC Showcase, he put up three goals and five assists for eight points. He had three points in each of the last two games against the Ottawa Valley Wolves and College Universel Gatineau.

Defense: Matthew Taylor, Northern Cyclones

Taylor (‘05/Wake Forest, N.C.) was magical for the Cyclones for his three games at the IHC Showcase. He had an assist in their big win against the Ottawa Valley Wolves, and then posted a 1-3-4 line against College Universel Gatineau. Meantime, the Cyclones gave up a total of two goals in the three games.

Goaltender: Jack Munini, Islanders Hockey Club

Munini (‘05/Reading, Mass.) is in his first season with the Islanders and he enjoyed a big first junior victory last weekend as his IHC squad beat the Connecticut Jr. Rangers. He stopped 25 of 26 shots to defeat a team that had taken a win against Munini and the IHC just three weeks earlier. Munini joined the IHC from the Tier 1 Hockey Federation’s Team Maryland and the Boston Hockey Academy, as well.

Atlantic Division

Forward: John Crowdell, Rockets Hockey Club

It very well may happen this season, folks. The ‘03 from Staten Island, N.Y., is on pace to bypass the 176 career points that is the career record in the Elite set by former Rocket standout Deven Ralph (2017-20). At 140 points in 64 career games, he could get to the record sooner than later, especially after weekends such as he just had when he posted six goals and two assists for eight points against the Jersey Hitmen and P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. He put up a 4-1-5 line against P.A.L., equalling a career high in single game goals he had previously hit on his Elite debut on Sept. 22, 2022.

Defense: Colin Healey, Rockets Hockey Club

Almost always a stay-at-home style of defensemen, Healey posted two of his three points on the season when he scored a goal and an assist against the Jersey Hitmen on Nov. 17. The 2006-born former Passaic Valley and Clifton High player has also helped the Rockets remain in the top 10 among regular league members in goals against per game with a team average of 2.60 this year.

Goaltender: Chase Ebeyer, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights

An Elite veteran, Ebeyer (‘04/Scottsdale, Ariz.) registered two of his four wins for the season at the Islanders Hockey Club Showcase between Nov. 17-19. He made 65 saves on 69 shots against the host Islanders Hockey Club and also against North American Prep Hockey League affiliate Simcoe County Academy. He had a season-best 42 saves on 43 shots against IHC. He holds a 2.39 GAA and a .926 save percentage for this 2023-24 season.

Week of Nov. 24, 2023

Games of Nov. 14-20, 2023

Summaries by Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Florida Division

Forward: Arnaud Bourgeois-Barry, Palm Beach Typhoon

Bourgeois-Barry (‘05/Quebec) scored his first hat trick of the season on Nov. 17, one game after his first two-goal game on Nov. 10. Bourgeois-Barry had game-winners in both. All three of his goals scored in the team’s Nov. 17 win against the Florida Eels were on the power play. He now has 15 points in 16 games this year.

Defense: Ari Chernobelsky, Palm Beach Typhoon

Chernobelsky (‘06/Wellington, Fla.) registered three assists, which means he helped set up 75 percent of his team’s goals in their 4-2 victory over the Florida Eels. His 32:23 of ice time led his team, as did his +1 rating (in a tie). He also blocked two shots in the victory.

Goaltender: Ethan Carlone, Tampa Bay Juniors

A second-year Elite goaltender, Carlone (‘04/Tecumseh, Ont.) registered 76 saves on 79 shots in a 2-0 performance against the Atlanta MadHatters. Carlone put up a .962 save percentage for the weekend. Since joining the Juniors from the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Carlone is 3-0-0-1, with a 1.71 GAA and a .949 save percentage.

Southeast Division

Forward: Jakson Furlotte, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

The returning National Championship team member Furlotte (‘04/Beaumont, Alb.) registered the tying goal and assisted on the game-winner in the Jr. Canes’ victory against the Charlotte Rush in a Nov. 18 outdoor game at Truist Field in Charlotte. He now has 16 points in 19 games.

Defense: Paxton Givens, Potomac Patriots

Givens (‘04/Rockford, Ill.) put in the work to help his Patriots to a sweep against Columbia and an 18-4-0-0 record. He scored a goal and an assist in the first win and added two assists the second night. He led the team in average ice time for the two-game series at 21:08 per game. His +5 was also second on the team.

Goaltender: Christian Nalle, Potomac Patriots

The ‘04 Californian was big in the Pats’ 4-1 victory against Columbia on Nov. 18. He stopped 30 of the 31 shots Columbia put on him to give him his second straight win and he registered a 5-2-0-0, with a 2.30 GAA and a .931 save percentage.

Week of Nov. 17, 2023

Games of Nov. 8-13, 2023

Summaries By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Atlantic Division

Forward: John Crowdell, Rockets Hockey Club

Crowdell (‘03/Staten Island, N.Y.) helped his team with four goals and two assists for six points in wins against the WBS Knights and the Connecticut Jr. Rangers. He improved to a league-leading 49 points in 18 games and 132 points in his 62 games. He’s also played in three of his four Premier games this month, scoring two goals in those four contests.

Defense: Logan Przestrzelski, Jersey Hitmen

Przestzelski (‘05/Lincoln Park, N.J.) registered a goal and an assist as the Hitmen split against the WBS Knights and the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders, helping him already bypass the three points he had in last year’s full season. He scored five points in 19 games so far this year. Przestrzelski formerly played with the local area Mountain Lakes High School.

Goaltender: Tony Macaluso, Rockets Hockey Club

Macaluso (‘05/Monmouth Beach, N.J.) stopped 38 of the 39 shots he faced from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. The win gave him a 3-2-0-0 record on the season and his third straight victory. He has a .934 save percentage this year.

New England Division

Forward: Ryan Pfaff, Boston Junior Bruins

In Pfaff’s second Elite game this season, he registered the overtime game-winning goal and added an assist against the Northern Cyclones. Along with the two games on the Elite side, the ‘05 from Madison, Conn., has also played in nine Premier games.

Defense: Ben Wosko, Springfield Pics

A third-year Pics Elite player, Wosko (‘05/Suffield, Conn.) registered two assists, including on the tying goal and the shorthanded insurance marker in a 3-1 Pics win at the Northern Cyclones’ home rink on Nov. 11. He has three assists in three games overall since rejoining the team earlier this month after playing in 32 games in 2022-23 and four games the year prior.

Goaltender: Tagger Tamburo, Islanders Hockey Club

Tamburo (‘04/Phoenix, Ariz.) stopped 51 of 52 shots when the Islanders took wins against the Northern Cyclones and Springfield Pics, Nov. 9-10, with a 21-save shutout against the Cyclones on Nov. 9. He has three straight wins right now and has an 8-2-1-0 record with a 1.82 goals against average and a .930 save percentage.

Week of Nov. 16, 2023

Games of Nov. 8-13, 2023

Summaries by Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Florida Division

Forward: Fynn O’Neill, Florida Eels

O’Neill (‘03/Calgary, Alb.) joined the Eels from the Heritage Jr. B League in his native Alberta. Since then, he has emerged as the team’s leading scorer after a huge weekend against the Florida Jr. Blades. He registered two goals and tacked on five additional assists for a seven-point effort. He was also +4 on the weekend and won 19 of his 31 faceoffs for 61 percent. He improved to 20 points in 19 games.

Defense: Sean Burke, Florida Eels

Burke (‘03/Wellesley, Mass.) has been a help to both the Elite and Premier Eels so far this season. In a recent stint with the Elite squad, he produced four assists against the Jr. Blades to total nine on the season in his 10 Elite games. He led the Elite team in the two-game series with 22:47 of ice time and was a +4 for second on the team.

Goaltender: Isaac Tillman, Palm Beach Typhoon

A third-year junior veteran, Tillman (‘03/Dubuque, Iowa) stopped 25 of 27 shots as the Typhoon defeated the Bold City Battalion in overtime. Both Tillman and the Typhoon are 1-0-0-1 in their last couple games.

Southeast Division

Forward: Carlos De Leon, Richmond Generals

A second-year General out of Boise, Idaho, this 2005-born forward has played a good amount of games with both the Premier and Elite Generals. Most recently with the Elite team, he scored five goals – including his first career hat trick on Nov. 11 – and he added one assist for six points in a weekend sweep of Columbia. His 23:43 average ice time led all Gens forwards, as did his 27 faceoff wins (for 61 percent of all his 44 draws). He was second on the Generals at +4. For his career, De Leon has improved to 35 points in 51 Elite games.

Defense: Colby Markham, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

A returning member of the 2023 Elite National Champion Jr. Canes, Markham posted a goal and two assists for three points on the weekend against Hampton Roads. The 2023 All-Star continues to be the go-to No. 1 defender for Brad Gaylord’s team, leading in ice time with 25:00 per game average this past weekend, along with total shorthanded time of 8:27. He was also +2 against the Whalers.

Goaltender: Anthony Trantas, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

The ‘05 goalie Trantas probably has the shortest trip of any teammate to the Wake Competition Center, as he grew up in and resides in the same town of Morrisville, N.C. Hitting the ice in Hampton Roads for his hometown Jr. Canes, he stopped all 34 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season. Trantas, at 7-1-0-0, is fourth league-wide in goals against average at 1.57 and tied for second in shutouts.

Week of Nov. 16, 2023

Games of Nov. 8-13, 2023

Forward: Trevor Evans, Fort Wayne Spacemen

Evans (‘03/Corona, Calif.) put together a very busy five-game stretch at the USPHL Midwest Elite Showcase in Fort Wayne, picking up three goals and eight assists for 11 points in five games. His line was a 3-8-11, and he had points in each of his five games at the showcase. Overall, Evans now has 26 points in his 14 games and he’s on a seven-game point streak of 6-11-17.

Defense: Landyn Ringenberg, Fort Wayne Spacemen

Ringenberg, a local Fort Wayne resident born in 2004, has posted one goal in each of his past four games, and also sent out an assist in each of the last two for a 4-2-6 line in five games. Ringenberg has nine points in 14 games and has also earned a call-up to the Premier team. The Spacemen went 2-1-0-2 at the USPHL Midwest Elite Showcase.

Goaltender: Johnny Augusta, Chicago Crush

Augusta (‘04/Medinah, Ill.) played in two of the Crush’s five games and came out with a 1-0-0-1 record, stopping 48 out of the 51 shots he faced in the two games for a .941 save percentage. He also played one additional game, stopping 13 of 14 in relief duty in a 5-3 loss to the Metro Jets. Augusta is 2-1-0-1 on the season with a .909 save percentage.

The Islanders Hockey Club Showcase will begin on Friday, Nov. 17, and will wrap up on Sunday, Nov. 19, with all games taking place at the Skate 3 rink in Tyngsboro, Mass., and the Gallant and Lawler Rinks on the campus of NCAA Division I hockey member Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass.

From the USPHL Premier, visiting college scouts, fans and players’ families will see six of the seven teams from the New England Division, including the defending National Champion Northern Cyclones. Additionally, from the Premier’s Atlantic Division, the Connecticut Jr. Rangers, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights and Brooklyn Aviators will be hitting the ice, in addition to the Motor City Gamblers from the Midwest East Division.

Several USPHL Elite teams, including several from the affiliate North American Prep Hockey League, will hit the ice over the three days. All four USPHL Elite New England Division teams will play, along with the Connecticut Jr. Rangers and WBS Knights from the Atlantic and Motor City Gamblers from the Midwest Division. North American Prep League teams in attendance include College Universel Gatineau, the Ottawa Valley Wolves, the CSJV Black Vees, Simcoe County Academy and Crystal Beach Academy.

Full IHC Showcase Premier Schedule

Full IHC Showcase Elite Schedule

If you are unable to join us at the IHC Showcase, tune into all of the action on FloHockey.tv!

Games of Nov. 1-7

Atlantic Division

Forward: Lucas Lewin, P.A.L. Jr. Islanders

Lewin (‘06/Hewlett, N.Y.) is in his third season with the Jr. Islanders having played on their 15U and 16U teams before joining the Elite squad this year. Over three recent Elite games, he had seven goals and added four assists for 11 points. He registered a pair of GWG’s and put in five goals on Nov. 5 against Connecticut. He has 23 points in 18 Elite games, and he also played Nov. 8 for the Premier team and scored a 1-2-3 line in his Premier debut against Brooklyn.

Defense: Ryder Orr, Elmira Impact

Orr (‘07/Yorkton, Sask.) registered a goal and three assists for four points as the Impact beat the host Springfield Pics on Nov. 4. He helped the Impact get the full weekend sweep of the Pics with that performance, which gave him all his points for his six games so far with the Impact.

Goaltender: William St. Denis, Elmira Impact

St. Denis (‘04/St-Joseph-du-Lac, Que.) came up huge with 45 saves on 47 shots to help the Impact to a 3-2 win over Springfield on Nov. 5, giving him a .957 save percentage for that game. He has wins in two of his last three games, also recently defeating the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. St. Denis came to the Impact out of the Somang Hockey program, which is now an affiliate member of the USPHL Elite Conference.

New England Division

Forward: Josh Bruno, Northern Cyclones

Bruno (‘04/Glendora, Calif.) has only been able to suit up for a pair of Elite games so far this year, but in that time, he put up two goals and three assists for five points. He helped the Cyclones to a weekend sweep of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights with his offense, coming after a five-game call-up to the Premier Cyclones. He now has 73 points in 45 Elite games for the Cyclones.

Defense: Andrew Chandler, Boston Junior Bruins

With a trip to Connecticut, the Junior Bruins were able to win a pair of games and double their season wins total. The ‘05 blueliner Chandler played a big part by scoring a pair of goals, including the third period GWG in Saturday’s 2-1 victory. He has six points in 17 games so far this year.

Goaltender: Dimitri Beach, Boston Junior Bruins

The first victory of the season for Beach (‘04/Longmeadow, Mass.) was a huge one, as he stopped 42 of the 43 shots he faced from Connecticut for a victory and a .977 save percentage on the day.