NA3HL announces monthly player awards for October
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of October. The Easton Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month is Tanner Skaja from the Granite City Lumberjacks. The Easton Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month is Joe Kleven from the North Iowa Bulls. The Vaughn NA3HL Goaltender of the Month is Evan Hauser from the Great Falls Americans. Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NA3HL monthly awards.
Easton Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month: Tanner Skaja, Granite City Lumberjacks
The Granite City Lumberjacks are sitting atop of the West Division thanks to a 7-2 record in the month of October. Forward Tanner Skaja, 19, led the Lumberjacks with 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists) in nine games played during the month. The local native of St. Cloud, Minnesota, had four multi-point games during the month. He was named the West Division Star of the Week back on October 7th for his eight points in two games performance. Skaja (6’0/180) also had multi-point games in wins over Twin City, Wisconsin and North Iowa. He was also a +7 during the month. Skaja ranks 2nd on the team in scoring with 18 points in 14 games played. “Tanner has a big offensive upside and is developing into a very good, well-rounded player. He is improving defensively as well and once all that comes together he is going to be someone that is very successful at the next level. It is good to see a local kid really making the most of the opportunity,” said Granite City head coach Brad Willner.
Runner-Up: Joe Burgmeier, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): David Becker, Twin City Steel – Cody Black, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Andrew Bond, Cincinnati Swords – Joe Costello, Breezy Point North Stars – Trent Dillinger, Gillette Wild – Grant Dukus, Point Mallard Ducks – Ryan Dunner, Texas Jr. Brahmas – Cody Estrel, Toledo Cherokee – Marshall Gevers, Peoria Mustangs – Tommy Heinzman, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Peter Henderson, Wisconsin Whalers – Ryan James, Sugar Land Imperials – Robert Kalata, Great Falls Americans – Gunnar Mogck, Bozeman Icedogs – Alex Sauer, Topeka Capitals – Tom Schmidt, Alexandria Blizzard – Luke Sunde, Southern Tier Xpress – Taylor Trapp, La Crosse Freeze – Michael Tratar, West Michigan Wolves – Pearce Vance, Metro Jets
Easton Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month: Joe Kleven, North Iowa Bulls
The North Iowa Bulls caught fire in October, going 9-2 and defenseman Joe Kleven, 19, was part of a team defense that limited the opposition to just 11 goals in the 11 games. The native of Prior Lake, Minnesota, also contributed on the offensive side as Kleven had 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists) in just 10 games and was also an astounding +13. Kleven (6’3/225) registered at least a points in every game he played in during the month. He also record three multi-point games in wins over Breezy Point, Twin City and Granite City. For the season, Kleven leads all Bulls defensemen in scoring with 15 points in 13 games played. “Joe is a big defenseman also who has a lot of speed. He has valuable junior experience and is a proven leader. Joe really works hard every time he touches the ice and is a good veteran presence for the Bulls,” said North Iowa head coach Todd Sanden.
Runner-Up: Gavin Mindt, Alexandria Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mathias Ahman, Twin City Steel – Alex Anderson, Wisconsin Whalers – Chris Brown, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Jack Cleaver, Gillette Wild – Andrew Cooley, Topeka Capitals – Gavin Cummings, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Mike Difranco, West Michigan Wolves – Adam Goudelock, Cincinnati Swords – Travis Hall, Dallas Jr. Stars – David Horsmann, Granite City Lumberjacks – Devin Kelly, Metro Jets – Michael Kliment, Great Falls Americans – Frank Muscarella, Sugar Land Imperials – Jake Nicks, Bozeman Icedogs – Tim Weisgerber, Southern Tier Xpress
Vaughn NA3HL Goaltender of the Month: Evan Hauser, Great Falls Americans
It was another perfect month for the Great Falls Americans, who remained the only undefeated team in the league with an 8-0 record in October. It all starts with defense for the Americans and a large part of that success is goaltender Evan Hauser. The 20-year-old native of St. Paul, Minnesota, was outstanding during the month as he faced a total of 189 shots in the five games he played in and made 184 saves, good for a 97.4% save percentage. Hauser (6’2/180) posted a perfect 5-0 record during October and was named the Frontier Division Star of the Week on October 28th. Perhaps the most amazing stat for Hauser during the month was that even though the Americans went undefeated, Hauser faced an average of 37.8 shots per game in that time span. Hauser is tied for the NA3HL lead in wins and ranks 2nd in both goals against average and save percentage. “The first thing that comes to my mind is the consistency Evan has shown. He is motivated because it is his final year of junior hockey and he wants to play at the next level. He is a big part of our success to date. Defense is important to us and it all begins with him,” said Great Falls head coach Jeff Heimel.
Runner-Up: David Johnson, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Colton Anderson, Sugar Land Imperials – Brian Baker, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Evan Bisek, Alexandria Blizzard – Alex Feese, Gillette Wild – Jesse Garcia, Granite City Lumberjacks – Billy Hindle, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Brett Malkmus, Topeka Capitals – Evan Moyse, Wisconsin Whalers – Quinton Reynolds, Texas Jr. Brahmas – Denijs Romanovskis, Bozeman Icedogs – Jake Stephan, Metro Jets – Hunter Vorva, West Michigan Wolves
About Easton
Easton Hockey continues to rank atop the industry in sticks and gloves and is growing faster in skates than any other company. It also offers a comprehensive collection of protective gear including helmets and pants. To learn more, go to www.eastonhockey.com
About Vaughn
Vaughn is the official Goaltending Equipment Partner to the NAHL and serves as the Preferred Goaltending Equipment Supplier of the NA3HL and NAPHL. Founded in 1982, Vaughn became one of the first major hockey production companies to use multiple foam layers in equipment. As strictly a goalie equipment company, the main focus for Vaughn is the innovation and quality of their product. Visit Vaughn online at: www.vaughnhockey.com
