NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending January 12, 2014. The divisional stars of the week is an award given each week of the regular season to the top performing players in each of the four divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Nathan Chasteen, forward, Peoria Mustangs
The 1st place Mustangs hosted Western Division powerhouse Granite City last weekend and came away with a split. 19-year-old forward Nathan Chasteen was the offensive leader with seven points in the two games. On Saturday, the native of Peoria, Illinois had a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal, and two assists in a 5-2 win. On Sunday, Chasteen (6’0/190) chipped in with two more assists in a 7-3 loss. He was also +3 during the weekend series. Chasteen leads all Peoria players in points with 56 to date this season, which also ranks tied for 5th in the NA3HL. “Nate is one of those guys that can control a game and he has to be at his best for us to be at his best,” said Mustangs head coach Steve Ortman. “He took charge and played really well in both games.”
East Division Star of the Week: Zachary Armstrong, forward, Toledo Cherokee
Toledo forward Zach Armstrong, 18, helped the Cherokee take three of four road points during a weekend series in Chicago. The native of Findlay, Ohio had three points in the two games and was a +1. On Saturday night, Armstrong (5’8/155) had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Jr. Bulldogs. On Sunday, Armstrong had an assist and a goal in the shootout in a 4-3 shootout win for Toledo. In 29 games, Armstrong had 17 points to date, which includes three goals and 14 assists. His +8 rating leads the Cherokee roster in plus/minus. “Zach lead us with his strong play this weekend,” said Toledo head coach Kenny Miller. “Zach is the hardest working player we have and he continues to lead by example.”
South Division Star of the Week: Hardijs Kupaks, forward, Topeka Capitals
Despite being swept on the road in North Iowa this weekend against the Bulls, 20-year-old Topeka forward Hardijs Kupaks was one of the bright points for the Capitals. Of the four goals Topeka scored this weekend, the native of Riga, Latvia had two of them. Both goals that Kupaks scored were un Sunday’s 10-3 loss. For the season, Kupaks (6’0/175) lead the Capitals in scoring with 36 points in 25 games played. His 21 goals are tied for 9th in the NA3HL. "Hardijs has been playing as a top player since December and he has really come into his own,” said Capitals head coach Anthony Bohn. “He's always moving and focused on what he has to do to be successful.”
West Division Star of the Week: Chase Myers-Beck, forward, Twin City Steel
Twin City forward Chase Myers-Beck, 19, had an eight-point weekend as the Steel dominated a home-and-home series with the Breezy Point North Stars. In Friday’s 8-3 win, Myers-Beck (5’11/175) had four assists and was a +2. On Saturday, the native of Woodbury, Minnesota had a goal and three assists for another four point game and was also a +4 in a 7-2 win. Myers-Beck is currently riding an eight-game point streak in which he has recorded 22 points during that span. In 33 games this season, Myers-Beck has 30 points, which ranks 3rd on the Steel roster. “Chase's hard work at the beginning of the year is really starting to show on the ice. He has a knack for creating plays and putting the puck in the back of the net,” said Steel General Manager Bryant Black. “Chase is on our top line and the connection that him and Jace Childs have made once being paired together has really shown in the goals that they have put up.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chris Amsden, goaltender, North Iowa Bulls – Taylor Brown, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Jace Childs, forward, Twin City Steel – Christian Mohs, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Tyler Richison, defenseman, North Iowa Bulls
