South Kent School Hockey Triumphs in USHL Fall Hockey Tournament
South Kent School’s 18U hockey team has emerged victorious in the 2024 USHL Fall Hockey Tournament, going undefeated through a series of intense matchups and clinching the championship in thrilling overtime fashion. This marks the team’s second tournament win, with their first triumph coming in 2022.
The renown USHL tournament, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known for its highly competitive atmosphere and attracts top NCAA and junior scouts eager to see the nation’s best young talent. The United States Hockey League (USHL), recognized as the premier junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey, provides a crucial platform for players between 16 and 21 to showcase their skills. For many players, it is a stepping stone to NCAA Division I college hockey.
A number of South Kent players stood out throughout the tournament, with Benson Grande leading the way as the tournament’s top scorer. Over the course of five games, Grande tallied an impressive 10 points, with 6 goals and 4 assists. Jason Millett and Isaac Purdon also delivered stellar performances, each netting hat tricks during the tournament.
Both Max Kogler and Bennett Law, who rotated in goal throughout the games, were instrumental in the team’s success, consistently shutting down the opposition’s offense and maintaining an outstanding defensive presence.
South Kent’s dominance was further reflected in the stats, with several players ranking in the top 10 in various categories, a testament to the team’s depth, skill, and cohesion.
“I am very proud of this group of young men! They worked, grew closer together, competed in every game, and got the result they deserved. We are very excited about the future of this team moving forward!” shared Andrey Uryadov, Director of South Kent School Hockey.
This victory solidifies South Kent’s reputation as a powerhouse in the midget hockey scene and continues their tradition of developing exceptional talent capable of competing at the highest levels.