The SPHL on Thursday announced its All-SPHL First and Second Teams as selected by a vote of SPHL coaches, staff, and broadcasters.
2023-2024 All-SPHL First Team
F- Carson Rose, Birmingham Bulls
F- Drake Glover, Birmingham Bulls
F- Leif Mattson, Quad City Storm
D- Brendan Pepe, Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
D- Zach Wilkie, Peoria Rivermen
G- Hayden Stewart, Birmingham Bulls
Carson Rose of the Birmingham Bulls captured the 2023-2024 Kevin Swider Leading Scorer Award, pacing the SPHL with 65 points. In addition, Rose led the league with 241 shots on goal and finished the regular season third in goals (30) and fifth in assists (35). The Surrey, BC native, set Birmingham’s franchise record for goals and points in a single season.
Drake Glover of the Birmingham Bulls led the SPHL in goals (33), power-play goals (eight - tied), plus/minus (+33) and game-winning goals (seven). The Anchorage, AK native also finished second in the league with 60 points. Glover recorded a four-goal game on March 8, tying teammate Carson Rose for most goals in a game this sea- son.
Leif Mattson of the Quad City Storm finished first in the SPHL in power-play assists (13 - tied) and power-play points (20), was third in points (59) and fourth in goals (28). A native of Thompson, MB, Mattson set Quad City’s franchise record for goals and points.
Brendan Pepe of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs led all defensemen in goals (13 - tied), points (41 - tied) and shorthanded assists (two - tied). The Villa Park, IL native was also fourth among blueliners in plus/minus (+24).
Zach Wilkie of the Peoria Rivermen led all defensemen in points (41 - tied), plus/minus (+32), power-play goals (six), power-play assists (13), power-play points (19) and shots on goal (140). Among defensemen, the Essex Fells, NJ, native also ranked second with 10 goals and 31 assists.
Hayden Stewart of the Birmingham Bulls led SPHL goaltenders in minutes played (2324:29). Stewart, a native of Rockford, IL, also finished second in wins (26), goals against average (2.14), save percentage (0.925), saves (1,028) and shutouts (four).
2023-2024 All-SPHL Second Team
F- Matt Ustaski, Quad City Storm
F- Simon Boyko, Fayetteville Marksmen
F- Nikita Kozyrev, Birmingham Bulls
D- Matt O’Dea, Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
D- Dillion Fournier, Quad City Storm
G- Nick Latinovich, Peoria Rivermen
Matt Ustaski of the Quad City Storm was second in the league in shooting percentage (22.3%) and fifth in points (53 - tied). Appearing in 35 games, he posted a 1.51 points-per-game average and set career highs in goals (27), assists (26) and points.
Simon Boyko of the Fayetteville Marksmen tied for the SPHL lead with eight power-play goals and was fourth in the SPHL in points (55 - tied). Boyko, an SPHL All- Rookie team selection, led all first-year players with 27 goals.
Nikita Kozyrev of the Birmingham Bulls led the SPHL in assists (41), while finishing third in points (59) and plus/minus (+31). Kozyrev, also an All-Rookie team selection, set the Bulls franchise record for assists in a season.
Matt O’Dea of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs led all blueliners with 32 assists, while ranking second in points (40) and power-play assists (12- tied). Among defensemen, the Mokena, IL native was third in power-play points (13 - tied) and fourth in goals (eight).
Dillion Fournier of the Quad City Storm was second among blueliners in power-play assists (12 - tied) while ranking third in assists (30) and power-play points (13 - tied). Fournier, a native of Dorval, QC, also ranked fourth among defensemen with 34 points.
Nick Latinovich of the Peoria Rivermen led SPHL goaltenders in goals against average (1.93), wins (27) and shutouts (seven), while finishing second in minutes (2211:12). The Maple, ON native also ranked fifth in save percentage (0.916). Latinovich’s seven shutouts were second-most in league history and tied the Rivermen franchise record for shutouts in a season (Kyle Rank, 2013-14).