The USPHL has announced its monthly player awards for October, with a slew of California names earning the honors.

Jason Zaccari of the South Shore Kings is the NCDC New England Division Defenseman of the Month, San Diego Sabers forward Liam Krupcyznski is the Pacific Premier Forward of the Month, Lake Tahoe Lakers’ Carver Alford is the Pacific Premier Defenseman of the Month, Potomac Patriots forward Yovanni Flores is the Southeast Premier Division Forward of the Month, Tampa Bay Juniors goalie Shane Passaro is the Florida Elite Division Goaltender of the Month, Northern Cyclones blueliner Matteo Johnson is the New England Elite Division Defenseman of the Month, Cycloes netminder Nick Cowles is the New England Elite Goaltender of the Month, and Hampton Roads Whalers goalie Janic Kennedy is the Southeast Elite Division Goaltender of the Month.

Zaccari (‘05/Santa Ana) is a returning Dineen Cup champion and he’s looked every bit the part, putting up three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in just 12 games to stand as the top scorer among defensemen league-wide. Zaccari has helped keep the Kings on a 13-game winning streak since they fell in their Sept. 19 opener. The Kings defense has given up only 25 shots on goal per game on average, the best number in the NCDC.

Back home, Zaccari skated for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks.

A third-year junior veteran with two prior years of Tier II experience, Krupcyznski (‘04/San Marcos) has been a massive offensive force for the Sabers, adding nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points in 15 games from Day 1. He only missed the scoresheet once in the Sabers’ first 15 games, giving him an average of 2.13 points per game. He also led the league in short-handed goals as of Nov. 1 with three.

In California, Krupcyznski played for the Jr. Ducks and San Diego Saints.

Alford (’05/South Lake Tahoe) was one of the many reasons why the Lakers were No. 1 in points, tied with the Charlotte Rush at the top of the Premier pack, to close October. Alford put up a 5-22-27 line in 17 games through the end of October, giving him an average of 1.59. He led the league’s defensemen in points, assists and shorthanded goals (two).

Prior to junior hockey, Alford played for Tahoe Prep Academy, the Golden State Elite Eagles and Vegas Jr. Golden Knights. He also spent part of the 2023-24 USPHL season with the Las Vegas Thunderbirds (now Henderson Force) and the Lakers.

Flores (‘04/Los Angeles) put up 14 goals and added five assists for 19 points in his first 16 games of the season. The third-year Patriot exited October as the USPHL Premier leader in power play goals with six, including a league-best three PPG in one game on Oct. 5.

Prior to junior hockey, Flores played for the California Wave and Los Angeles Jr. Kings.

Passaro (‘04/Palm Springs) returned this year and has been in midseason form from the start, going 4-0-0 with two shutouts and a .941 save percentage. He stopped 96 of 102 shots through the end of October and held a 1.47 GAA. Leaderboard-wise, he was fourth in GAA and second in shutouts. For his career, he is 17-4-0-0 with a .917 save percentage.

Johnson (‘05/Laguna Niguel) has been a fantastic addition to the defending national champion Northern Cyclones. Johnson has maintained a point-per-game average since joining the team, posting a 2-7-9 line in nine games. He also saw call-ups for two games to the Cyclones Premier team. He and teammate Jackson Bulthaup were both tied for sixth in Elite defenseman scoring.

Back home in California, Johnson played for the Goldrush, Capistrano United High School and the Jr. Ducks.

Cowles (‘05/Irvine) is an Elite veteran goaltender who came out of October still undefeated at 6-0-0, tying for No. 1 in Elite wins. He also had a save percentage of .924 off of 145 saves on 157 shots this season so far. Cowles joined from the Anaheim Jr. Ducks program, where he was once a teammate of Johnson and three additional current Cyclones.

In addition to the Jr. Ducks, Cowles also played high school hockey for JSerra and Irvine United.

Kennedy (‘04/Mission Viejo) went 7-3-0-0 over 632 minutes, stopping an amazing 329 of 349 shots for a .943 save percentage to lead the Southeast Division. He also already has two shutouts to match his 2023-24 full season output, including an absolute jewel of a 46-save showing against the Charlotte Rush on Oct. 26.

Kennedy has also spent time with the Jr. Ducks and Saints.

— Joshua Boyd/USPHL.com

(November 11, 2024)