The NCDC and USPHL have announced their monthly awards for January, with a trio of players from California picking up the honors.

The NCDC Atlantic Division Defenseman of the Month is Kai Mencel, who split time with the Seacoast Spartans and West Chester Wolves, Lake Tahoe Lakers blueliner Carver Alford is the USPHL Pacific Premier Division Defenseman of the Month, and Connecticut Jr. Rangers defender Jack Kopfstein is the USPHL Atlantic Premier Division Defenseman of the Month.

Mencel (‘06/San Diego) put up a 3-5-8 line in eight games during the month of January, as the first-year Wolves have continued to put up a good fight to hold onto a playoff-worthy position. He joined the Wolves in mid-January after starting the season with the Spartans. He registered four points in his first three Wolves games.

Back home, Mencel skated for the San Diego Saints and Los Angeles Jr. Kings.

Alford (‘05/South Lake Tahoe) averaged 1.4 points per game in January, scoring 14 points in 10 games played with the Lakers and surpassing a 50 career points with 56 and counting. In his second Premier season, he has 51 points over 39 games.

Prior to the Lakers, Alford played for the Golden State Elite Eagles, Tahoe Prep Academy and Vegas Jr. Golden Knights. He also spent part of last season with the USPHL’s Las Vegas Thunderbirds.

Kopfstein (‘05/Newport Beach) registered a 2-8-10 line over nine games during January as the defending national champions continued to push their way up the Atlantic standings. The fourth-year Premier veteran has 22 points this season and reached the 100-point career mark during a Jan. 27 game. He has 102 points in 146 career games.

During his youth hockey days, Kopfstein skated for the Saints, Anaheim Ice Dogs and JSerra Catholic High School.

— USPHL Staff

(February 9, 2025)