Presented by CWENCH Hydration
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Atlantic Hockey Forward of the Week
A.J. Hodges – Graduate – Bentley University (Wenatchee Wild)
Hodges had a four-point game in Game 1 of the Atlantic Hockey semifinal round at Sacred Heart last Friday night. With the score tied 2-2 in the third period, Hodges potted a natural hat trick to lead the Falcons to a 5-2 victory. Earlier, he recorded an assist as well.
The 2001-born forward transferred to Bentley from Michigan State University two years ago. During the 2018-19 campaign, Hodges had 35 points in 54 BCHL games with the Wenatchee Wild.
Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week
Matt Kursonis (F) – Freshman – College of the Holy Cross (Alberni Valley Bulldogs)
Kursonis scored the opening goal in both of Holy Cross’ tournament games against Army last week, helping his team to a semifinal sweep. He found the back of the net at 1:49 of the first period in Friday’s Game 1, then followed that up with a power-play goal at 10:51 of the first in Saturday’s Game 2. He also fired eight shots on goal and posted a rating of plus-one over the weekend.
Kursonis played two seasons with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs from 2022 to 2024, totaling 26 goals, 28 assists and 54 points in 73 regular-season games, and another 23 points in 34 postseason contests.
Atlantic Hockey Defenceman of the Week
Brody Gagno – Sophomore – College of the Holy Cross (Chilliwack, Prince George, Surrey)
Gagno helped the Crusaders clinch a spot in the Atlantic Hockey Championship Game by assisting on the game-winning goal in Friday’s 3-2 overtime win over Army. He also blocked four shots and posted a plus-four rating in the semifinals.
The Surrey, B.C. product spent four seasons in the BCHL over five years. From 2018 to 2020, he suited up for the Chilliwack Chiefs, playing in 105 regular-season games. After sitting out the pandemic-shortened season, he had a brief stint with the Prince George Spruce Kings to start 2021-22, before joining the Surrey Eagles for the remainder of his BCHL career. He was named Eagles team captain in his final season.
Hockey East Defenceman of the Week
Frank Djurasevic – Sophomore – University of Maine (Penticton Vees)
Djurasevic netted the game-winning goal as part of a two-point night (one goal, one assist) in a 7-1 win over UMass-Lowell to help the Black Bears return to the semifinals for just the second time in 13 years. He finished with a plus-two rating.
The New Rochelle, N.Y. product played three seasons with the Penticton Vees from 2020 to 2023 and totaled 85 points in 127 career games. He won a pair of Fred Page Cup championships, one as team captain during the 2023 postseason where he was the league’s top scoring defenceman with 14 points in 17 games.
CCHA Forward of the Week
Adam Eisele – Junior – Minnesota State University (Penticton Vees)
Eisele led all CCHA skaters in goals (two) and plus-minus (plus-three) last week, helping the Mavericks top Bemidji State 4-0 in the Mason Cup Semifinals. He notched three shots on goal and one block, while winning five of eight faceoffs. His goals came back-to-back in the second and third periods to secure Minnesota State’s spot in the league title game.
The Lake Elmo, Minn. product joined the Penticton Vees partway through the 2021-22 campaign and averaged nearly a point per game with 13 goals and 13 assists in 27 contests. Eisele was even more consistent in the postseason, finishing fourth in team scoring with 19 points in 17 games, helping the Vees to a Fred Page Cup championship.
CCHA Rookie of the Week
Casy Laylin (F) – Freshman – University of St. Thomas (Chilliwack/Salmon Arm)
Laylin scored the opening tally in St. Thomas’ 3-1 Mason Cup semifinal victory over Bowling Green on Saturday. Notching two shots in the game, his goal came at 5:40 of the second period.
The St. Michael, Minn. native played two seasons in the BCHL, starting with a 14-game stint with the Chilliwack Chiefs before being acquired by the Salmon Arm Silverbacks where he would play another 69 games. He put up 48 points in his 83 regular-season games to go along with 10 points in 28 career BCHL playoff contests.
