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USPHL Elite Power Rankings: Feb. 27, 2025

by Joshua Boyd

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025

Read About How The United States Premier Hockey League Utilizes Ken's Ratings For American College Hockey ("KRACH") to determine its Power Rankings.

These rankings are used by the USPHL only to determine Divisional seeding for Premier Nationals; for selecting the Elite wild card team to fill out the 6-team Elite Nationals field; and for seeding the Elite six-team field.

Power Movers: The Carolina Jr. Hurricanes made the biggest jump into the No. 2 spot, and the Elmira Impact are in the Top 10!

See this week's full rankings below!

USPHL Elite Players Of The Week: New England, Atlantic and Midwest Divisions

USPHL Elite Players Of The Week: South Region

The USPHL Elite Playoffs Are Underway

USPHL Elite Players Of The Week: New England, Atlantic and Midwest Divisions

Week of March 1, 2025

Games of Feb. 18-24, 2025

Midwest Division

Forward: Tyson Finefrock, Fort Wayne Spacemen

Finefrock (‘07/Fort Wayne, Ind.) was on fire down the stretch for the Spacemen, posting five goals and five assists for 10 points in three games, and he also registered 15 points over a five-game point streak. He has 34 points in 35 games for this season.

Defense: Samuel Baldry, Fort Wayne Spacemen

Baldry (‘05/Missoula, Mont.) scored a game-winning goal and added two assists during the Spacemen’s series against the Motor City Gamblers between Feb. 19-21. He pulled his season total to 17 points, which is nearly double his nine points from his 2023-24 rookie season.

Goaltender: Andrew DiSilvestro, Chicago Cougars

DiSilvestro (‘07/Odessa, Fla.) stopped all 25 shots he faced against the Decatur Blaze on Feb. 22. He won that second game in a row and stands with an 8-6-0-1 record and a .910 save percentage for the season.

Atlantic Division

Forward: Nicholas Morolla, P.A.L. Jr. Islanders

Morolla (‘07/Bethpage, N.Y.) was red-hot down the end of the runway of the regular season for P.A.L., scoring two goals and five assists for seven points in three games. This was part of a larger 11-point scoring streak over seven games. Morolla had 51 points in 41 games this season.

Defense: Jake Strong, P.A.L. Jr. Islanders

Strong (‘07/Shirley, N.Y.) put up a goal and an assist over each of two games against the Hershey Cubs for four points, including the GWG on Feb. 23. With 39 points in 43 games, Strong is tied for third in scoring by Elite defensemen.

Goaltender: Dominik Feiler, P.A.L. Jr. Islanders

Feiler was on fire against the Rockets Hockey Club and Hershey Cubs. Against the former, he stopped 44 of 45 shots for a win. From there, he went on to turn away all 29 shots faced against Hershey. He is 16-6-0-1 with a .926 save percentage.

New England Division

Forward: Kail Burns, Northern Cyclones

Burns (‘06/Bailey, Colo.) put home three goals and added two assists in a two-game stretch to close the season for the Cyclones, including a 3-1-4 line against the South Shore Kings on Feb. 23. He stands with 41 points in 43 games this year.

Defense: Jackson Bulthaup, Northern Cyclones

Bulthaup (‘05/Big Rock, Ill.) scored a goal and added three assists for a four-point stand in two games as he completed a full season with 38 points in 44 total games for the Cyclones.

Goaltender: Gavin Carpenter, Springfield Pics

Carpenter (‘07/South Hadley, Mass.) had a strong game despite taking an overtime loss, as he turned away 45 of 49 shots in a showdown against the division champion Islanders Hockey Club, who finished 32 points above the Pics. Carpenter finished the season with four wins and a .927 save percentage for the season.

Selection Process: Divisional statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who are able to vote on the leaders, or nominate and vote on alternate candidates.

Summaries by Joshua Boyd

Week of March 1, 2025, 2025

Games of Feb. 18-24, 2025

Southeast Division

Forward: Dominykas Jurjevas, Potomac Patriots

Jurjevas (‘04/Elektrenai, Lithuania) scored his first GWG of the season and posted a 2-3-5 line against the WBS Knights. In the 12 games he played for the Patriots Elite team, he posted 19 points and finished with 112 career points in 75 games.

Defense: Breyen Hanna, Potomac Patriots

Longtime Patriot Hanna (‘06/Fredericksburg, Va.), who goes back years with the organization’s Midget teams, including playing most of this year in the THF with the Patriots 18U team. He scored three goals against the WBS Knights

Goaltender: Anthony Trantas, Carolina Junior Hurricanes

Trantas (‘05/Morrisville, N.C.) stopped all 23 shots he faced from the Charlotte Rush on Feb. 21 to finish the regular season at 5-0-0-1 run. Trantas’ final win of the season gave him a career-best 15 wins and a .925 save percentage.

Florida Division

Forward: Matthieu Leblanc, Bold City Battalion

Leblanc (‘07/Austin, Texas) was everywhere at once it seemed for the Battalion, scoring five goals and adding five assists for 10 points in just two games. He currently stands with 42 points in 38 games.

Defense: Ty Elzinga, Florida Eels

Elzinga (‘07/Cape Coral, Fla.) is back at this spot for another week after a second outstanding series in a row, scoring a goal and two assists against Palm Beach to finish the regular season on a five-game, eight-point scoring streak. He closed his second junior year with 27 points in 42 games.

Goaltender: Shane Passaro, Tampa Bay Juniors

Passaro (‘04/Palm Springs, Calif.) registered a 29-save shutout and 46 saves on 47 shots over Feb. 21-22. Passaro only lost in regulation once all year in November and stands with a career-best 16-1-1-1 record and a .928 save percentage.

Selection Process: Divisional statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who are able to vote on the leaders, or nominate and vote on alternate candidates.

Summaries by Joshua Boyd

We have arrived at Day 1 of the #USPHLPlayoffs! Three #USPHLElite games today start us on the Pathway To The #USPHLNationals March 20-24 in Wayne, New Jersey.

Saturday’s games:

Southeast Division (Double Elimination Tournament)

Hampton Roads Whalers 3, Charlotte Rush 2 (OT)

Our first multiple-OT game of the 2025 postseason came to a close with a Whalers 3-2 win. Gregor McNish was the OT winner hero against the Charlotte Rush, Caelan Nicholson had a goal and an assist, and Taryk Filipuzzi had two assists. It was also a goaltenders duel in which Whalers goalie Nick Kremnitser stopped 55 of 57 and Charlotte’s Cale Puzey made 56 saves on 59 shots. Hampton Roads advances in the winners bracket of the double-elimination tournament

Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 2, Potomac Patriots 0

It was settled that the Winners Bracket Sunday game will see the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes going up against Hampton Roads. This comes after a 2-0 shutout victory for the Jr. Canes against the Potomac Patriots. Anthony Trantas made 35 saves and Kester Stadler scored the GWG and added an assist on the insurance. Cooper Thomas also had two assists. Potomac’s Benicio Castellucci also put up a great performance in net with 43 saves on 45 shots.

Midwest Division

Chicago Cougars 4, Motor City Gamblers 3

Jason Williams scored the shorthanded game-winner for Chicago and he added an assist, while Joseph Rodriguez had a goal and two assists. Nate Maurin in net made 15 saves on 18 shots in the win. Philip Tate stopped 61 of 65 shots for the Gamblers.

Follow along with the USPHL on Facebook, Instagram and X for brackets, updates and highlights, as well as on usphlpremier.com for daily recaps!

Week of Feb. 21, 2025

Games of Feb. 11-17, 2025

New England Division

Forward: Ryan Netkovick, Springfield Pics

Netkovick (‘07/South Hadley, Mass.) sent home three goals and added three assists in two games, including a 2-2-4 line against the South Shore Kings on Feb. 14. The Pics THF 15U and 16U veteran currently has 48 points in 42 games.

Defense: Alexander Zygmanski, Northern Cyclones

Zygmanski (‘06/Staten Island, N.Y.) scored a goal and tacked on four assists in his three games over the past week against three different teams, giving him 12 points in 38 games this season.

Goaltender: Cole Kelly, Islanders Hockey Club

Kelly (‘05/Binghamton, N.Y.) bounced back from taking his only loss since Halloween by winning two more games including his 32-save victory against the Islanders’ rival Northern Cyclones on Feb. 12. He is now 16-4-0-0 with a .914 save percentage.

Midwest Division

Forward: Evan Reiner, Chicago Cougars

Reiner (‘07/Aurora, Ill.) scored two goals and added four assists as he played in his first two USPHL Elite games with the Cougars after joining from the Chicago Sabres 18U team.

Defense: Cameron Twadell, Chicago Cougars

Twadell (‘08/Lake Villa, Ill.) scored twice and also added one assist in the team’s two-game sweep of Motor City. Twadell now has nine goals and 11 points in 38 games.

Goaltender: Giovanni Bottalico, Decatur Blaze

Bottalico (‘06/Round Lake, Ill.) wasn’t able to get the win, but he was heroic in his effort against the Midwest Division champion Chicago Crush, stopping 47 of 49 shots. He defeated the Crush for one of his two wins on Oct. 20, stopping 51 shots that day.

Atlantic Division

Forward: George Roland, Rockets Hockey Club

Roland (‘07/Staten Island, N.Y.) pounded opposition nets with six goals over three games, and he also added three assists, including a 3-1-4 line on Feb. 14. He has a career-best 31 points in 37 games in this, his second year.

Defense: Brandon Eigner, Rockets Hockey Club

Eigner (‘08/Mendham, N.J.) scored a goal and added five assists between Feb. 14-16 and now has 37 points in 25 games to rank fourth among Elite defensemen.

Goaltender: Brian Sisti, Jersey Hitmen

The Hitmen defeated the Elmira Impact and took a close loss to their rivals the Rockets Hockey Club, and Sisti (‘07/Sparta, N.J.) made 71 saves on 74 shots over the two games. Sisti is 5-5-1-0 with a .935 save percentage this season.

Selection Process: Divisional statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who are able to vote on the leaders, or nominate and vote on alternate candidates.

Summaries by Joshua Boyd

Event Runs March 20-24 At The Ice Vault Arena In Wayne, N.J.

The United States Premier Hockey League is pleased to announce the game schedules for the 2024-25 USPHL National Championships for the Premier and Elite conferences, to be held March 20-24, 2025, at the Ice Vault Arena in Wayne, N.J.

The format is new for the 2025 National Championship tournament for both the USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite conferences, as detailed below. The Nationals are always highly-scouted and well-attended, and with the proximity of Wayne to New York City, the 2025 Nationals are sure to continue that exciting trend.

USPHL Premier Nationals: The Basics

Ten division playoff champions automatically qualify.
Seedings based on regular season Power Rankings using KRACH (Ken’s Ratings for American College Hockey)
Each team will play a three-game round robin.
The top four teams after pool play will face off in the March 23 Semifinals.
The National Championship will take place on March 24, with puck drop set for 10:30 a.m. EST.

USPHL Elite Nationals: The Basics

Five division playoff champions automatically qualify.
One Wild Card team will advance based on Power Rankings using KRACH.
Seeding based on regular season Power Rankings.
Each team will play a three-game round robin March 20-22.
The top four teams from the Round Robin will play in the semifinals on March 23.
The National Championship will take place on March 24, with puck drop set for 1:30 p.m. EST.

“The USPHL is excited to bring the USPHL Nationals to Wayne, N.J., for the first time and we expect the Ice Vault and its staff will be outstanding hosts for the Premier and Elite conferences’ signature event,” said USPHL Deputy Commissioner Tony Zasowski. “The League has enjoyed watching the Race To Nationals develop over the course of the 2024-25 season in both conferences.”

USPHL NCDC New Jersey Combine

Running Friday through Sunday in conjunction with the Premier and Elite National Championships will be the 2025 USPHL NCDC New Jersey Combine, a new addition to the league’s Combine Series. Players born between the birth years 2005 and 2011 in Juniors (2005-09) and Futures (2009-11) Divisions will be hitting the ice to put their skills on display in front of NCDC and other USPHL coaches to build connections with coaches towards future playing opportunities and potential selection in the 2025 NCDC Entry Draft on May 15.

For more information or to register a player, go to usphlpremier.com/usphl-ncdc-combines

Premier Round Robin Divisions

Division 1: Seeds 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9

Division 2: Seeds 1, 6, 7, 10

All Games At The Ice Vault, Wayne, N.J.

All Times EST

USPHL Premier Schedule

Round Robin Day 1 | Thursday, March 20

1:00 p.m. Premier #5 vs. Premier #8

1:45 p.m. Premier #3 vs. Premier #4

4 p.m. Premier #2 vs. Premier #9

4:45 p.m. Premier #6 vs. Premier #7

8:30 p.m. ET Premier #1 vs. Premier #10

Round Robin Day 2 | Friday, March 21

2:30 p.m. Premier #4 vs. Premier #8

4:45 p.m. Premier #3 vs. Premier #9

5:30 p.m. Premier #2 vs. Premier #5

7:45 p.m. Premier #6 vs. Premier #10

8:30 p.m. Premier #1 vs. Premier #7

Round Robin Day 3 | Saturday, March 22

4:15 p.m. Premier #7 vs. Premier #10

5:30 p.m. Premier #8 vs. Premier #9

8:30 p.m. Premier #3 vs. Premier #5

8:45 p.m. Premier #2 vs. Premier #4

9:00 p.m. Premier #1 vs. Premier #6

Premier Semi-Finals | Sunday, March 23

2:30 p.m. Division 1 #1 vs. Wild Card

3 p.m. Division 2 #1 vs. Division 1 #2

National Championship | Monday, March 24

10:30 a.m. ET Premier #1 vs. Premier #2

Elite Schedule

Round Robin Day 1 | Thursday, March 20

1:30 p.m. Elite #4 vs. Elite #5

4:30 p.m. Elite #2 vs. Elite #3

7:30 p.m. Elite #1 vs. Elite #6

Round Robin Day 2 | Friday, March 21

10:45 a.m. Elite #3 vs. Elite #5

11:30 a.m. Elite #1 vs. Elite #4

1:45 p.m. Elite #2 vs. Elite #6

Round Robin Day 3 | Saturday, March 22

9:45 a.m. Elite #5 vs. Elite #6

11:30 a.m. Elite #2 vs. Elite #4

2:30 p.m. Elite #1 vs. Elite #3

Elite Semi-Finals | Sunday, March 23

11:30 a.m. Elite #2 vs. Elite #4

12:00 p.m. Elite #1 vs. Elite #3

National Championship | Monday, March 24

1:30 p.m. Elite #1 vs. Elite #2

About The United States Premier Hockey League

Founded in 2012, the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is comprised of over 150 teams, fielding more than 20,000 players aged 8-21 in more than 100 organizations across the North, South, Midwest, West, and Canada. Our Junior Divisions consist of the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), a tuition-free junior hockey division and our Premier and Elite Divisions, all geared toward college and pro placement.Our youth and midget divisions (operated through the Tier 1 Hockey Federation) field full season 8U through 18U teams.

The USPHL has sent over 8,000 players to all levels of college hockey all-time including over 4,200 into NCAA college hockey, with more than 550 advancing to NCAA Division I hockey. The USPHL has also had 18 players who played in the NCDC drafted by NHL teams.

Week of Feb. 21, 2025

Games of Feb. 11-17, 2025

Florida Division

Forward: Rene Krytinar, Tampa Bay Juniors

Krytinar (‘07/Praha, Czechia) sent home four goals and added three assists to push his season totals to 46 points in 33 games. He also helped the Juniors to clinch the Florida Division regular season championship and the top seed in the upcoming divisional playoffs.

Defense: Ty Elzinga, Florida Eels

Elzinga (‘07/Cape Coral, Fla.) scored two goals and three assists – one in each of his three games against Tampa Bay and the Florida Jr. Blades. He improved to 26 points in 41 games, which represents a better than threefold improvement in offense from his 2023-24 rookie season.

Goaltender: Blake Moore, Florida Jr. Blades

Moore (‘06/Harker Heights, Texas) came out of the week with a win against the Palm Beach Typhoon and an overtime loss against the rival Florida Eels. He was busy in net over the two games, stopping a total of 92 of 98 shots for a .939 save percentage.

Southeast

Forward: Curren Stukey, Hampton Roads Whalers

Stukey (‘06/Golden, Colo.) scored two goals and added two assists for four points during a sweep of the Potomac Patriots. He was able to push his season total to 21 points in 26 games.

Defense: Jack Ray, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

Ray (‘06/Pinehurst, N.C.) scored twice in the team’s March 17 game against Charlotte, a win that put Carolina’s point streak at 11 games (10-0-0-1). Ray now has 12 points in 38 games this season.

Goaltender: Nick Kremnitser, Hampton Roads Whalers

Kremnitser (‘06/San Francisco, Calif.) put up two fantastic performances in a row against Potomac, first stopping 51 of 52 and then following up with a 36-save shutout victory, his third of the year. He improved to 6-4-1-0 on the season.

Selection Process: Divisional statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who are able to vote on the leaders, or nominate and vote on alternate candidates.

Summaries by Joshua Boyd

Read About How The United States Premier Hockey League Utilizes Ken's Ratings For American College Hockey ("KRACH") to determine its Power Rankings.

Power Movers: The Tampa Bay Juniors returned to the No. 1 spot, and the Islanders Hockey Club jumped up to No. 4.

See this week's full rankings below!

By Florida Eels Staff

Two Florida Eels and USPHL Premier Alumni Gage Dill and Taurin Haddon-Harris are leading the charge as Curry College marches on to a potential NCAA Division III title. Both Dill and Haddon-Harris were Florida Eels standouts making numerous USPHL Nationals Appearances and have had continued success in the college ranks at Curry College. Both of these men have been impactful players for the Florida Eels and for Curry College. They are extremely talented players with impeccable character.

As you can see, the Florida Eels continue to leave their mark on the collegiate hockey world, as their alumni are thriving at some of the top programs in the nation. Leading the charge are Taurin Haddon-Harris and Gage Dill, who are suiting up for Curry College for their third season, currently ranked No. 2 nationally. With their eyes set on a deep national tournament run, these two standouts are proving why the Eels pipeline is one of the strongest in junior hockey.

Beyond Curry College, the Eels’ presence permeates throughout the collegiate market. Damon Kiyawasew, Mark Phillips, and Jared Salminen are making waves at Rivier University, showcasing the skill and work ethic that define the Eels program. Meanwhile, Devin Shepherd is dominating the ice for Framingham State University, consistently proving himself as an offensive force to be reckoned with.

Eels former Premier Captain, Easton Moore, continues to light the lamp with offensive prowess, as he gains another 13 points this season at MCLA. Eels players Noah Trathen and Braden Goddard found their home at U-Mass Dartmouth these season. Firepower Colin Patterson, formally of UMass Dartmouth, now at Utica University has a total of 19 points in his 18 games played this season.

Defensive threats, Eric Hambling and Kyle Ziemba, who has also racked 17 points this season, continue to dominate the D Zone for Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Another former Premier Captain, Maverick Crupi left his offensive stamp as secured 40 points, in 30 games during his college rookie season at the University of Pittsburgh.

Between the pipes, Duncan Rolleman is standing tall for Wilkes University, continuing the Eels’ tradition of producing elite goaltenders. His ability to shut down opponents and backstop his team to victory makes him a critical asset as Wilkes looks to make a push for postseason success.

From coast to coast, Florida Eels alumni are thriving, competing, and excelling at the collegiate level, reinforcing the program’s reputation as one of the best developmental teams in junior hockey. With these players continuing to shine, expect to see the Eels name etched into the national spotlight for years to come.

USPHL Teams can send alumni updates to media@usphl.com.

Week of Feb. 14, 2025

Games of Feb. 4-10, 2025

Southeast Division

Forward: Dominykas Jurjevas, Potomac Patriots

Jurjevas (‘04/Elektrenai, Lithuania) put up three goals and three assists for six points against the Hershey Cubs during their trip north, which were both wins. He now has 14 points in eight games this year and 107 points for his 71-game career.

Defense: Jakob Kolega, Potomac Patriots

Kolega (‘05/Ijamsville, Md.) scored three goals against the Cubs, including two on Feb. 8. He improved to four goals and 11 points for the season.

Goaltender: Trevor Walmsley, Potomac Patriots

Walmsley (‘07/Medway, Mass.) stopped 23 of the 24 shots he faced and improved to a 6-5-0-1 with a .910 save percentage.

Florida Division

Forward: Dylan Hineman, Tampa Bay Juniors

A recent commit to West Chester University, Hineman (‘06/Odessa, Fla.) recently passed his 100th point and he now has 105 points, including 52 this year – one point off of last year’s 53. He had a hat trick and added five assists for eight points in two games.

Defense: Carter Trussler, Tampa Bay Juniors

Trussler (‘06/Land O Lakes, Fla.) put up four assists in two games against the Florida Jr. Blades. He has a career-best 40 points, better by 15 points than his prior season best, and he now has 86 points in 117 games.

Goaltender: Jasper Brophy, Palm Beach Typhoon

Brophy (‘07/West Palm Beach, Fla.) stopped all 37 shots he faced against the Bold City Battalion, and this came a couple weeks after also stopping 34 shots on Jan. 26 in a shutout against Atlanta. Brophy has six wins and a .912 save percentage.

Selection Process: Divisional statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who are able to vote on the leaders, or nominate and vote on alternate candidates.

Summaries by Joshua Boyd

Week of Feb. 14, 2025

Games of Feb. 4-10, 2025

Midwest Division

Forward: Keith Watkins, Chicago Crush

Watkins (‘06/Antioch, Ill.) registered a goal and added three assists for four points in two games against the Decatur Blaze. Watkins has 23 points in 25 games with the Elite. He’s also played in 16 games with the Crush’s Premier team, putting up six points at that level – USPHL Advancement In Action.

Defense: Carter Murphy, Decatur Blaze

Murphy (‘07/Kamloops, B.C.) scored his first goal of the season and that was the first goal in an eventual 3-2 loss the division-leading Crush. He also put up two assists during the two-game series. He now has a 1-5-6 line in 17 games.

Goaltender: Charles Landers, Decatur Blaze

Landers (‘06/Andover, Kansas) put up a heroic effort in stopping 52 of 55 Chicago Crush shots despite a close 3-2 defeat.

New England Division

Forward: Nicholas Posthumus, Islanders Hockey Club

Posthumus (‘05/Vancouver, Wash.) played in just one game between Feb. 4-10, but it was a huge showing with two goals and three assists for five points on Feb. 7 against South Shore. Posthumus improved to 55 points in 42 games.

Defense: Gavin O’Keefe, Islanders Hockey Club

O’Keefe (‘05/Reading, Mass.) put up a 1-3-4 line in the Feb. 7 game against the Kings, pushing him up to 37 points in 41 games.

Goaltender: Osvaldo Agostini, Northern Cyclones

Agostini (‘06/Pierrefonds, Que.) stopped all 31 shots that he faced against the Springfield Pics. That was his second straight shutout after also turning away 27 of 27 against the Montreal Black Vees at the Cyclones Showcase. He is 7-3-0-0 with a .923 save percentage.

Atlantic Division

Forward: Matvei Orlov, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights

Orlov (‘08/Moskva, Russia) joined the Knights this year from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s 16U squad in January. Orlov has since posted a 5-5-10 line in just five games with the Elite team, including the GWG and three assists in two games against Elmira.

Defense: Ilya Buranov, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights

Buranov (‘08/Yekaterinburg, Russia) put up four goals and also added an additional shootout goal. He also had one more point from an assist. Buranov now has 16 points in 22 games.

Goaltender: Alexander Wutzke, Jersey Hitmen

Wutzke (‘06/Chicago, Ill.) stopped 61 of 62 shots against the Connecticut Jr. Rangers to earn his second victory in four games. He has a .925 save percentage in 13 games.

Selection Process: Divisional statistical leaders are presented to coaches, who are able to vote on the leaders, or nominate and vote on alternate candidates.

Summaries by Joshua Boyd

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