The USPHL has announced its weekly awards, with a handful of California natives earning the honors.

Casper Warbirds forward Brayden Boucher is the NCDC Mountain Division Rookie of the Week, while Potomac Patriots forward Yovanni Flores is the Southeast Premier Forward of the Week, Northern Cyclones goalie Olivier Caballero is the New England Elite Goaltender of the Week, and Potomac’s Rafe Armstrong is the Southeast Elite Defenseman of the Week.

Boucher (‘05/Irvine) registered a hat trick – his first in the NCDC – on Nov. 22 and added another goal on Nov. 23 for four goals in the two games against Utah. Boucher had a call-up with Utah during the 2023-24 season out of the Jr. Coyotes in Arizona.

In California, Boucher also played for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, California Golden Bears, Jr. Reign, and Anaheim Ice Dogs.

Flores (‘04/Los Angeles) put up three goals and two assists to help the Patriots get the sweep of the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes and send them into December on a four-game winning streak. He currently has 23 goals on the season, which is good for a tie for third league-wide. He has 60 career points in 90 career games going back to 2022-23, all with Potomac. The Patriots are in first place in the Southeast.

Back home, Flores skated for the California Wave and Los Angeles Jr. Kings.

Caballero (‘06/Tustin) helped the Cyclones in their 3-1-0-0 run at the IHC Showcase, including putting up a 22-save shutout win against the Montreal Black Vees team from the North American Prep Hockey League. He currently stands at 3-1-0-0 with a .926 save percentage since joining the Cyclones from the Jr. Ducks organization.

The Patriots were 1-1 against the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes this week, and Armstrong (‘07/Long Beach) was a major part in securing the win on Nov. 24 for scoring the game-winning goal during a third-period power play. Armstrong has played 24 games in his first season with the Patriots, posting two goals and four assists.

Prior to the USPHL, Armstrong played for the Empire Hockey Club and also spent time in high school hockey with Beach Cities.

— Joshua Boyd/USPHL.com

(December 1, 2024)