This article originally appeared at https://www.usphl.com/news_article/show/1094599. 

Jersey Hitmen left winger Mickey Burns has been named the 2019-20 Forward Of The Year for the National Collegiate Development Conference. 

Burns absolutely lit it up this season with a league-leading 45 goals and 77 points in all 50 games.

The 5-foot-9, 174-pound native of Wayne, N.J., made sure to credit his teammates in helping him achieve this award. Wayne, by the way, is also home to the Hitmen, the 2019-20 NCDC Organization Of The Year.

“The group we have in the locker room is extremely talented and special, so a lot of thanks goes out to my teammates, especially my linemates Casey Rhodes and Liam McLinskey,” Burns said. “We’ve been having a blast all year as a team, so when you’re having fun and working hard, it’s a great formula for everyone’s success.”

“[Burns’] attitude, his approach, sportsmanship, and killer instinct make him respected by his peers and the rest of the NCDC collectively,” said Toby Harris, the Hitmen Head Coach and the NCDC Co-Coach Of The Year. ”Burns is an amazing talent that will excel at the next level and beyond.”

Burns played his first three NCDC games in 2017-18 with the Hitmen, chipping in with three helpers. Burns would stick with the NCDC team in 2018-19, scoring 13 goals and 28 assists in 48 games. It was all a buildup to this year, in which he set the single season scoring record, previously held by former Hitmen Jeffrey Losurdo (65 points). Junior Bruins forward Johnny Mulera, with 74 points, joined Burns in passing the previous 65-point high mark. 

His lofty credentials with the Hitmen earned him a scholarship to the University of Vermont and he will begin his Catamounts career next fall. 

“I am excited to see what’s in store at the collegiate level next year, and I hope that I am able to carry some of this momentum over and make an early impact however I can,” Burns said. 

The USPHL congratulates Mickey Burns on being named as the 2019-20 NCDC Forward Of The Year!