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 September 21, 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: Will Holtan, defense, Wisconsin Whalers
One of two defensemen honored this week, Holtan, 19, played a big role in helping the Whalers take three of four points in St. Louis this past weekend. The native of Rochester, MN, had a goal and two assists and was a +5 in the two games. It was the first points of the season for the 6’3/220 lbs. defenseman. “Will us a big, strong defenseman and definitely a leader on this team. We had trouble scoring on Sunday and he turned the momentum with his goal and allowed us to get three points on the weekend,” said Whalers head coach Tom McDermott.
2nd Star: Michael Tratar, F, West Michigan Wolves
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kai Barber, F, Peoria Mustangs – Tommy Heinzman, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Peter Henderson, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Frankie Melton, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues - Andrew Scofield, F, Peoria Mustangs – Dakota Ulmer, forward, West Michigan Wolves
East Division Star of the Week: Eli Lynn, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Second year NA3HL forward Eli Lynn, 20, helped the Pittsburgh Vengeance to two wins last weekend over the Metro Jets. In the process, the native of Orangeville, PA, had four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in the two wins. Most importantly, both goals that Lynn (5’9/175) scored were the game-winners. Through six games this season, Lynn has 8 points in 6 games. He spent last season in the NA3HL with Cleveland and finished the year with the Vengeance. “Eli has a great work ethic and is a very solid veteran player. His greatest asset is that he is a very good all-around two-way player, who can score big goals. He is becoming a better hockey player every day,” said Pittsburgh head coach Dave Dorsey.
2nd Star: Alec Rounds, G, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Dalton, F, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Nils Markgren, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Tyler Zalecki, F, Toledo Cherokee
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Nick Trefry, defense, Helena Bighorns
Even though he only played in one game, Helena defenseman Nick Trefry had a great NA3HL debut. In the Bighorns 10-0 win over Glacier on Friday, the native of Upland, CA had a goal and four assists for a five-point game. Trefry, 19, was also +4 in the win. Trefry (6’1/190) assisted on the game-winning goal in the 1st period and through one game, leads the Bighorns in scoring. "Nick had a great first game of the year posting five points. Nick is an outstanding leader on this team already and we look forward to see what else he has in store the rest of the year with his high skill level,” said Bighorns head coach Jon Jonasson.
2nd Star: Tristan Henrichs, F, Billings Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Michael Burke, F, Gillette Wild – Ryan Erickson, F, Bozeman Icedogs – Sean Kelley, G, Gillette Wild – Grant Martens, G, Helena Bighorns – Gunnar Mogck, F, Bozeman Icedogs – Cole Semchak, G, Billings Bulls
South Division Star of the Week: Josig Rochon, forward, Dallas Jr. Stars
In his first weekend of NA3HL action, Dallas Jr. Stars forward Josig Rochon, 18, helped Dallas win two of three games against cross-town rival, the Texas Jr. Brahmas. In the three games, Rochon (5’10/180) had four goals and an assist for five points. He scored at least a goal in all three games and in both the games that Dallas won, the native of Quebec City, PQ had the game-winning goal in both instances. “Josig had a great first weekend. He is a big body that took advantage of some opportunities in front of the net on the power play. He scored a couple big goals for us especially the overtime winner. I look forward to seeing him grow even more as a player this year,” said Dallas head coach Jason Deitsch.
2nd Star: Kody Wagner, D, Dallas Jr. Stars
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Aksel Campbell, F, Sugar Land Imperials – Jake Cox, F, Point Mallard Ducks - Paolo DiGenova, F, Texas Jr. Brahmas – Grant Dukus, F, Point Mallard Ducks - Ryan James, F, Sugar Land Imperials – Rudy Kalvitis, D, Nashville Jr. Predators – Trent Kulczyk, F, Nashville Jr. Predators
West Division Star of the Week: Jared Sprink, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
Veteran Granite City forward Jared Sprink, 20, was dominant in the Lumberjacks two wins this past weekend. The native of Mosinee, WI had four points in two games, which included three goals and an assist. On Friday, Sprink (6’0/175) had a goal and an assist in a 6-0 shutout at home over Breezy Point. On Saturday, he had two goals in a 4-1 home win over Alexandria. He was also a +3 during the weekend. Sprink has previous NA3HL playing experience with the Minnesota Flying Aces during the 2012-13 season. “Jared is a very smart, veteran player, who is very familiar with the division and the league. He has great playmaking ability and it really showed in the wins this past weekend,” said Granite City head coach Brad Willner.
2nd Star: Luke Richardson, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mikko Aho, F, Twin City Steel - David Becker, F, Twin City Steel - Dakota McDonald, G, Breezy Point North Stars – Ryan Mezera, F, Breezy Point North Stars – Jordan Moran, G, North Iowa Bulls
