This past week in Pittsburgh, PA Team New Jersey captured the Championship trophy at the America’s Hockey Showcase (formerly Chicago Showcase) thanks in large part to contributions from many members of the Jersey Hitmen organization. The Hitmen are widely regarded as the premier junior hockey organization in New Jersey and their players certainly left everyone in Pittsburgh with no doubts as to why.

Tim Clifton and Connor Leen, who last season provided the Empire team with two of the leagues top scorers, were lethal all week long. Clifton lead the way with astounding numbers posting a 4-4-8 line in three round robin games followed by averaging four points a game with a 5-7-12 line in the three games of the playoff round. Leen produced some incredibly impressive numbers himself averaging just over three points per game on the week. In the round robin Leen contributed a 1-5-6 line and continued his assault in the playoff round with a 6-4-10 line. Clifton and Leen were the top two scorers in the tournament and will take their games to the Jr ‘A’ level next year as part of the Hitmen EJHL squad.

Also vital in the New Jersey victory were Collin MacDonald and Michael Conte. MacDonald got off to a bit of a slow start producing two goals in round robin play. However, when the stakes were raised during the playoff round MacDonald brought his game to a different level averaging two points a game (3-3-6). Conte who was praised through the week for his tireless work ethic chipped in a goal per game during the round robin and added two assists in the playoff round. MacDonald and Conte will both return to the Hitmen Empire team this year, leading the team to what it hopes will be a Championship caliber season.

Eric Menard, Chris Fersini, and Matt DaSilva also played crucial roles in the Championship run. Menard was outstanding on the penalty kill and chipped in with two assists on the week. Fersini brought a hard nosed, physical presence to the ice and proved menacing to play against. DaSilva had an all around solid week on the New Jersey blueline and added an assist in the Championship game. All three of these players will join the Jersey Hitmen Empire roster in the fall.

Finally, former Hitmen and Empire League All-Star goaltender Matt Braun was rock solid in net. Braun posted a GAA of 1.00 and a save percentage of .965 in round robin play followed by a 1.5 GAA and .935 save percentage in the playoff round. Braun is still undecided about his future plans.

Congratulations to Team New Jersey, and to the outstanding contributions of our organization.