A pair of California natives have collected NCDC monthly honors.

Northern Cyclones forward Marko Giourof is the NCDC North Division Forward of the Month, while Jersey Hitmen forward Tyler McNeil is the NCDC South Division Forward of the Month.

Giourof, a 2003-born Torrance native, has helped the NCDC’s actively hottest team to a close second overall to the leading Hitmen, especially after a 9-0 run that was still going as November dawned. During the nine-game run, Giourof has put up 14 of his 16 total points, and he also scored the shootout goal on Oct. 2 that began the run with a 6-5 shootout victory against the Connecticut Jr. Rangers at the BJB Shootout.

A career Anaheim Jr. Duck as a youth player, Giourof joined the Cyclones in 2021-22 and put up a strong 19 points in 42 games – a total he is on pace to blow past by 40 points with a full season in 2022-23. At an even 7-9-16 with his scoring line, he can dish it out as easily as he can take the puck and score. The two-way threat is also leading the Cyclones in plus-minus at plus-12, part of a four-way tie for third in the league in that category.

One of the most shining examples of #USPHLAdvancement in NCDC history, the former Fresno Monster and USPHL Premier Pacific Division All-Star (2021-22), McNeil is leading the NCDC in scoring with nine goals, 13 assists and 22 points through just 14 games. McNeil, a 2002-born native of Valencia, started out red hot with 14 points in his first seven NCDC games. He went on to add another eight points in a three-game stretch between Oct. 12-22.

McNeil has played a fast and clean game, racking up just 12 penalty minutes, while seeing opponents rack up 14 minutes in infractions against him, showing just how much his elevated skill set is frustrating foes. With 16 hits (third on the Hitmen), he is also not afraid to play the physical game, making the most of his 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame.

As a youth star, McNeil played for the Jr. Ducks and Valencia Jr. Flyers and at Tahoe Prep Academy.

— Joshua Boyd

(November 2, 2022)