December 5, 2018

New Haven, CT - Below you will find the top performers for the 18U, 16U and 15U ECEL teams after they competed in the 2019 Holiday Classic on November 30 - December 2. 

U18

Forward – Ryan Kuzmich, 95 Giants
         Kuzmich netted a least one goal in all four Holiday Classic games for the 95 Giants, who swept their weekend opponents to vault into third place. In posting 8 goals and 4 assists, which included a hat trick and 5 points in 9-3 rout of the Seacoast Spartans, Kuzmich climbed to the top of the division scoring leaders with 16 points in 8 games.

Defense – Parker Rutledge, New Jersey Titans
         Rutledge helped lead New Jersey to four consecutive Holiday Classic victories, holding opponents to just 6 goals and 94 shots. He contributed to the offense as well for the undefeated, division-leading Titans with 2 assists in a 7-1 win over the New Hampshire Avalanche and set up another goal in a 4-2 victory over the Esmark Stars. 

Goaltender – Justin Lakin, Ontario Junior Reign
         Lakin backstopped the Junior Reign to four straight victories during the midseason showcase, including an 11-save shutout of the guest Walpole Express. Allowing just 5 goals while facing 102 shots, he lowered his goals-against average to 1.75 as well save percentage to .932. Lakin improved his record to 7-1-0 for the second-place Junior Reign.

U16

Forward – Cameron Snow, Hill Academy
         Snow scored single goals in Hill’s three straight victories to close the showcase, including the clincher in a 3-2 win over Boston Advantage in which he also assisted on another. He also netted one and set up two more in a 4-0 win over the New Jersey Titans. Snow leads Hill in ECEL scoring with 6 goals and 9 points in 8 games.

Defense – Jake Lammens, Elite Hockey Program
         Lammens led the potent Elite defensive corps in limiting its opponents to just 4 goals over four Holiday Classic clashes. Despite not entering the scoring column, the standout St. Lawrence University recruit was the key blueliner in EHP’s blanking of Hill Academy as well as its victories over Colorado and Seacoast, in which they surrendered just one goal to each.

Goaltender – Conner Bradford, Boston Advantage
         Bradford allowed single goals in both of his Holiday Classic starts, making 17 saves in each contest. He suffered a tough 1-0 loss in the weekend opener to the powerful guest club Esmark Stars before earning a 3-1 win the following day against the New Jersey Titans. Bradford’s goals-against average remained at an impressive 1.00 for the season through five starts, which includes two shutouts, while his save percentage is a league-best .956.

U15

Forward – Nathaniel Block, New Jersey Titans
         Block scored in three of his club’s four games, including netting the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over Boston Advantage. He also notched a goal and assist in a 4-1 win over the West Coast Renegades and accounted for the Titans’ lone goal in a 5-1 loss to the high-scoring guests Esmark Stars.

Defense – Mika Petersen, Elite Hockey Program
         Petersen scored in both of Elite’s victories during the Holiday Classic’s final day while helping his squad hold its opponents to a mere 7 goals in the weekend’s four contests.  Petersen’s 3 points for the showcase raised his season totals to 2-4-6 in eight games.

Goaltender – D’Mar McCoy, Elite Hockey Program 
         McCoy earned the victory in all three of his Holiday Classic starts, including posting a 12-save shutout of the previously undefeated New Jersey Titans. McCoy allowed just 3 goals against in four appearances while registering a .921 save percentage (35 saves, 38 shots).