The USPHL has announced its weekly awards, with a quartet coming from California.

The Southeast Premier Division Forward of the Week is Conner Nieto of the Potomac Patriots, teammate Cooper James is the Southeast Premier Defenseman of the Week, Lake Tahoe Lakers blueliner Carver Alford is the Pacific Premier Defenseman of the Week, and Hampton Roads Whalers goalie Nick Kremnitser is the Southeast Elite Division Goaltender of the Week.

A third-year Premier veteran, Nieto (‘05/Long Beach) scored a goal and added three assists for the Patriots as they defeated the Whalers twice and are now on a five-game winning streak as they are pushing to take the No. 2 seed in the Southeast.

Back home, Nieto played for the California Wave, Rose City Pats, Beach Cities High School and the USPHL’s Long Beach Shredders.

James (‘04/Huntington Beach) is having his best season offensively for Potomac at the Premier level, registering two assists on Feb. 16 to improve to 16 points in 22 games. James played much of his first USPHL season in the USPHL Elite, making him a great example of “USPHL Advancement In Action.”

In California, James skated for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, Wave and Beach Cities.

Alford (‘05/Lake Tahoe) scored a pair of goals and added an assist for three points in two games, giving him 54 points in 42 games. He’s also gone up to the NCDC’s Pueblo Bulls for two games this season.

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.

Kremnitser (‘06/San Francisco) put up two fantastic performances in a row against Potomac, first stopping 51 of 52 and then following up with a 36-save shutout victory, his third of the year. He improved to 6-4-1-0 on the season.

Back home, Kremnitser played for the San Jose Jr. Sharks and Tahoe Prep Academy.

— USPHL Staff

(February 21, 2025)