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 December 9, 2014. This week also includes all games played at the 2014 NA3HL Showcase, which took place from December 7-9 in Blaine, MN. 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: Ryan Martin, forward, Wisconsin Whalers
Thanks to an undefeated run at the NA3HL Showcase, the Wisconsin Whalers sit atop of the Central Division. Second year forward Ryan Martin, had a great week last week as the 19-year-old from Rochester, Minnesota, recorded eight points in four games and saw him stay remarkably consistent with a goal and an assist in each of the four games he played. That run included wins over La Crosse prior to the Showcase and wins over Metro, Texas and Breezy Point while at the Showcase. In the 4-2 win over Texas, Martin (5’10/170) had the game-winning goal and he was also +5 for the week. “Ryan has been on fire lately and just playing great hockey. He is a big part of our team’s success to date,” said Wisconsin head coach Tom McDermott.
2nd Star: Austin Wiseley, F, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Anderson, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Tommy Heinzman, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Alex Klaesner, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Andrew Scofield, F, Peoria Mustangs – Hunter Smith, F, La Crosse Freeze – Taylor Trapp, F, La Crosse Freeze – Michael Tratar, F, West Michigan Wolves – Dakota Ulmer, F, West Michigan Wolves
East Division Star of the Week: Alec Rounds, goalie, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
One of the six undefeated teams at the NA3HL Showcase was the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks, thanks in large part to their goalie Alec Rounds, 20, who has been one of the team MVP’s this season. The 6’2/187 lbs. goalie from Laguna Beach, California, played in two of the three games and won both. On Monday, Rounds made 44 saves in a 4-1 win over South Division-leading Nashville. On Tuesday, Rounds posted his 4th shutout of the season as he made 19 saves in a 5-0 win over Glacier. For the week, Rounds stopped 63 of the 64 shots that came his way. His four shutouts is currently tied for the NA3HL lead. “Alec is continuing his strong play and picked a good time to do it as he attracted attention from colleges with his play at the showcase,” said Cleveland head coach Bob Jacobson.
2nd Star: Pearce Vance, F, Metro Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Glen Bates, G, Toledo Cherokee - Brody Duncan, F, Toledo Cherokee – Tobias Gabrielsen, D, Southern Tier Xpress – Tyler Houmard, F, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Kameron Lindburg, G, Metro Jets – Nils Markgren, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Lucas Lomax, forward, Great Falls Americans
From a record and points standpoint, the top team to date in the NA3HL is the Great Falls Americans. They helped their cause this past week with four more wins, including a perfect run at the NA3HL Showcase. Leading scorer and forward Lucas Lomax, 20, led the way with five points in the four wins, which included four goals (including two game-winners). The 5’10/175 lbs. native of Phoenix, Arizona, began the week with a two goal, one assist effort in a 7-5 win over Glacier on Friday. On Sunday, Lomax scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over Minnesota. On Tuesday, he had another game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Point Mallard. He was also a +6 during the week and his 23 points leads the Americans in scoring to date. “Lucas is a great kid and has been an incredible asset to our program the last two seasons. He has an extra step in his stride this year and is fully committed to the success of our team,” said Americans head coach Jeff Heimel.
2nd Star: Zack Mese, F, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Feese, G, Gillette Wild – Torin Foundos, F, Billings Bulls – Mitchell McEwan, F, Gillette Wild – Alex Meagher, G, Billings Bulls
South Division Star of the Week: Nathan Klebe, goalie, Nashville Jr. Predators
Nashville picked up wins in two of their three Showcase games to keep their comfortable lead in the South going and in goal for both of those wins was 20-year-old goalie Nathan Klebe. The native of South Lyon, Michigan, began the Showcase with a 33-save effort in a 3-1 win over the Breezy Point North Stars. Two days later, Klebe played the opening two periods of a 4-0 win over the La Crosse Freeze, in which he stopped all 21 shots that came his way. In his 100 minutes of action at the Showcase, Klebe (6’0/175) stopped 54 of 55 shots that came his way. His 12 wins to date ranks 2nd in the NA3HL. “Nathan has been solid in net for our team since day one. He has been working hard on and off the ice to better his game and it has really paid off for us. We look forward to watching his success not only this year but the years to come,” said Nashville head coach Karlis Zirnis.
2nd Star: Kyle Rimbach, F, Topeka Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Colton Anderson, F, Nashville Jr. Predators – Aksel Campbell, F, Sugar Land Imperials – Jake Cox, F, Point Mallard Ducks – Anthony Galliart, G, Dallas Jr. Stars – Drew Hill, F, Dallas Jr. Stars – Frank Muscarella, D, Sugar Land Imperials – Quinton Reynolds, G, Texas Jr. Brahmas – Hank Roers, F, Topeka Capitals – Cooper Seedott, G, Point Mallard Ducks
West Division Star of the Week: Jody Randall, forward, Alexandria Blizzard
Alexandria forward Jody Randall, 20, put the team on his back and led the Blizzard to a perfect 3-0 record while at the NA3HL Showcase last week. The native of Maple Grove, Minnesota, felt right at home in Blaine as he recorded points in all four games that he played in last week and totaled eight points in the four games. He started with an assist on Friday in a loss to Breezy Point. He then picked up another assist in a 3-0 win on Sunday over Texas. Randall (5’10/180) then assisted twice in an 8-3 win over Helena and he finished the week with two goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal, in a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Vengeance. He was also a +3 during the week. Randall’s 22 points ranks 2nd on the Blizzard roster to date. “Jody has brought his game to the next level as of late with his hard work and determination. Jody is the one Captain that has a led by example and attitude and it has snowballed throughout our team,” said Alexandria head coach Jeff Crouse.
2nd Star: Trey Gardner, F, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Felix Conrads, F, Breezy Point North Stars – Joe Costello, F, Breezy Point North Stars – James Hale, F, Twin City Steel – Travis Kemp, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Dallas Marvin, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Sam Naegele, D, North Iowa Bulls – Jay Paul, F, Twin City Steel
