Quartet of California connections bags weekly honors from NCDC, USPHL
The NCDC and USPHL have announced their players of the week, with a strong foursome coming from California.
West Chester Wolves blueliner Kai Mencel is the NCDC Atlantic Division Defenseman of the Week, San Diego Sabers defender Aidan Cosgrove is the Pacific Premier Division Defenseman of the Week, Lake Tahoe Lakers goalie Perry Jacobs is the Pacific Premier Goaltender of the Week, and Northern Cyclones forward Matteo Johnson is the New England Elite Division Forward of the Week.
Mencel (‘06/San Diego) added three goals and one assist to his scorecard, averaging two points per game for the Wolves this week. He has played 34 career games in his inaugural NCDC season, with 18 points to his name.
Back home, Mencel skated for the San Diego Saints and Los Angeles Jr. Kings.
The third-year junior veteran Cosgrove (‘04/Carlsbad) has been a strong addition to the Sabers this year, as illustrated by his being named an alternate captain for the team. In 27 games, he has 30 points, including the two assists he posted in last week’s 6-2 win against the Ventura Vikings, including one on the game-winning goal.
In California, Cosgrove starred for the Saints and Anaheim Jr. Ducks.
Jacobs (‘04/Reno, Nev.) stopped 37 of 38 shots when the Lakers beat the Bakersfield Roughnecks. A former USPHL Elite goaltender, Jacobs is now 12-6-1-0 this season and he has 17 wins for his two-year Premier career, a great example of “USPHL Advancement In Action.”
Jacobs spent time with the Golden State Elite Eagles prior to the USPHL.
Johnson (‘05/Laguna Niguel) was a busy man last week, putting up a 1-3-4 line in four games, giving him 24 points in 36 games this season.
Prior to junior hockey, Johnson played for the Goldrush, Capistrano United High School and the Jr. Ducks.
— USPHL Staff
(February 2, 2025)