NA3HL announces Easton Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton Hockey for the week ending November 23, 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 five divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Nathan Viberg, forward, Wisconsin Whalers
The Wisconsin Whalers stayed in 1st place this weekend with a big road sweep in Peoria against the Mustangs. 18-year-old forward Nathan Viberg, who is an Illinois native, went back to his home state and played a big role in the sweep. Viberg (6’0/175) had two goals and an assists as the Whalers posted wins of 6-2 and 5-2. On Saturday, Viberg had a goal in the 6-2 win. On Sunday, he scored the game-winner and had an assist in a 5-2 win. For the second, Viberg is 2nd on the team in scoring with 25 points in 22 NA3HL games. “Nate is really coming into his own and playing well for us. He has been getting better every week,” said Whalers head coach Tom McDermott.
2nd Star: Jace Cseter, F, La Crosse Freeze
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chris Brown, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Nikita Ermilov, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Same Harden, G, Chicago Jr. Bulldogs – Evan Moyse, G, Wisconsin Whalers – Josh Somers, F, West Michigan Wolves – Taylor Trapp, F, La Crosse Freeze – Michael Tratar, F, West Michigan Wolves
East Division Star of the Week: Alec Rounds, goaltender, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
Cleveland goalie Alec Rounds had a perfect weekend as the 20-year-old native of Laguna Beach, California, picked up shutouts in both of his starts this past weekend in home wins against Cincinnati. Rounds (6’2/187) faced a total of 64 shots in the two games and stopped them all. On Friday, he made 28 saves in a 5-0 win. On Sunday, he made 36 saves in a 1-0 win. For the season, Rounds has a 7-7-2 record with a 2.65 goals against average and a 92.4% save percentage. He also has three shutouts on the season. “Alec has been playing at a high level all season. He provides strong leadership with team and sets good example with consistent work ethic and approach to practice and games,” said Cleveland head coach Bob Jacobson.
2nd Star: Brandon Kruger, G, Cincinnati Swords
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brian Baker, G, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Richie Doherty, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Zack Mlady, F, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Aaron Roschinsky, F, Toledo Cherokee – Hunter Schneider, F, Cincinnati Swords
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Brandon Mills, forward, Helena Bighorns
Helena took wins in two of three games this past weekend as they picked up a road win in Billings before beating Glacier at home. Their lone loss was to division-leading Great Falls. Forward Brandon Mills, 19, was a key component in the two wins as he recorded a total of six points in the two wins. On Friday, the native of San Dimas, California, had a goal in a 4-3 road win in Billings. On Saturday, Mills (5’10/180) had the game-winning goal and four assists in an 8-0 win over Glacier. He was also a +6 on the weekend in three games. For the season Mills has 20 points in 16 games played. “Brandon is one of the most dedicated and hardest working players I have had the opportunity to coach. He was off to a slow start, but this weekend he broke out of his shell and we expect some big things the remainder of the season,” said Helena head coach Jon Jonasson.
2nd Star: Tristan Henrichs, F, Billings Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cade Boreing, F, Gillette Wild – Alex Feese, G, Gillette Wild – Alex Kruger, G, Helena Bighorns – Ryan Lund, G, Glacier Nationals – Ian Wiljanen, F, Billings Bulls
South Division Star of the Week: Alex Johanson, forward, Topeka Capitals
For the second week in a row, Topeka forward Alex Johanson, 18, is the South Division Star of the Week. The native of Skokie, Illinois had another big week as the Capitals swept the St. Louis Jr. Blues. On Saturday, Johanson (6’1/190) had a goal and was +2 in a 4-0 shutout win. On Sunday, Johanson scored four goals in a 7-1 win. In nine games with the Capitals this season, Johanson has 14 points. "Alex had a great weekend. He's an extremely hard worker and competes hard shift in and shift out. We are happy with the direction of his game and he has a bright future ahead of him,” said Topeka head coach Anthony Bohn.
2nd Star: Mykyta Sheptytsky, F, Texas Jr. Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Trent Kulczyk, F, Nashville Jr. Predators – Nick Nitta, D, Texas Jr. Brahmas – Jacob Pelton, G, Topeka Capitals – Nick Tandeski, F, Nashville Jr. Predators
West Division Star of the Week: Brycon Johnson, defense, Granite City Lumberjacks
New Granite City defenseman Brycon Johnson, 18, made his Lumberjacks debut in grand fashion as the native of St. Peters, Missouri was all over the ice as the Lumberjacks split a weekend home-and-home series with the Alexandria Blizzard. Johnson (6’1/196) had five points in the two games. On Friday, Johnson had a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal in a 4-0 shutout of the Blizzard. On Saturday, he had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 loss at Alexandria. It was Johnson’s first two games in a Lumberjacks uniform. “It was great to add a veteran and Brycon gave us a spark this weekend. He has great skill and a great head for the game. He is always in the right spot at the right time,” said Granite City head coach Brad Willner.
2nd Star: Jon Plaszcz, D, Twin City Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brooke Evans, F, Breezy Point North Stars – Brett Gravelle, F, North Iowa Bulls – Aharon Lara, F, Twin City Steel – Kendall Meyer, G, Granite City Lumberjacks – Sean Viti, D, Breezy Point North Stars – Dylan Zins, F, North Iowa Bulls
