Sports

Minutemen Star Scores Top County Honor as Player of the Year

Grant Jozefek's sophomore season may be over, but the awards are starting to roll in.

…And he’s only a sophomore.

That’s the phrase that has followed Grant Jozefek – and everything said about him – during the 2013-14 high school hockey season. The Mendham High School’s leading point scorer for the second year isn’t just good. He’s a bona fide great.

And he’s only a sophomore.

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Jozefek was named the best player in Morris County by the Daily Record this week, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. New Jersey’s statewide newspaper, the Star-Ledger, will announce its top players and teams on March 30, but it’s hard not to feel like top prize has already been handed out.

For the second straight season, Jozefek led all scorers in the state with his second consecutive 103-point season. In doing so he helped the Minutemen capture its second consecutive Halvorsen Cup trophy and a solid run into the state playoffs before losing to Ramsey in the semifinal round.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There’s a chance, however, Jozefek’s back-to-back scoring titles won’t prelude a third straight honor, as the Northeastern University recruit is considering taking a shot at the USHL – United States Hockey League – to gain minutes and experience before the rigors of a full Division I season.

Jozefek told the Daily Record he uses the National Hockey League as a motivational tool with the hopes of someday playing for a professional team. He’ll be draft eligible in 2016. 


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