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 January 4, 2015. 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: Andy McGlynn, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
In his first NA3HL games of the year, St. Louis forward Andy McGlynn, 17, helped the Jr. Blues snap a 13-game losing streak with a great performance in two road games in Chicago against the Jr. Bulldogs. On Saturday, the native of St. Louis, MO, had a goal and an assist in a 5-3 loss. On Sunday, McGlynn (5’10/170) had a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal and added two assists in a 7-4 win. For the weekend, McGlynn totaled seven points in the two games. McGlynn had spent the entire first half of the season with the Springfield Jr. Blues in the NAHL. “Andy came back to us from the NAHL this week and had a dynamic performance. Andy wants to get back to that level and it showed with his play this weekend. He made a difference for us every shift he played. If he keeps playing the way he did this weekend it will be matter of time before he gets back to the NAHL,” said Jr. Blues head coach Chris Flaugher.
2nd Star: Anthony Miller, D, La Crosse Freeze
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Adam Alcott, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Andrew Bond, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Thomas Hanson, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Mitch McPherson, F, Peoria Mustangs – Josh Somers, F, West Michigan Wolves – Daniel Toycen, F, La Crosse Freeze – Dakota Ulmer, F, West Michigan Wolves - Austin Ziakas, D, Peoria Mustangs
East Division Star of the Week: David Chavis, defense, Metro Jets
Metro Jets defenseman David Chavis, 19, led his team to a weekend home sweep of the Cincinnati Swords to push the Jets winning streak to five straight games. The native of Grosse Point Wood, MI, was good at both the offensive and defensive ends as he totaled five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the two wins and was also a +7. On Saturday, Chavis (6’4/205) had two goals, including the game-winner, and two assists in a 6-2 win over the Swords. On Sunday, Chavis picked up another assist in a 5-0 shutout win. For the season, Chavis leads all Jets defensemen in scoring with 19 points in 29 games played. His +29 rating not only leads the Jets, but is tied for 3rd among all NA3HL players. “David has been playing excellent hockey of late. He is our leader and captain, and is continuously improving on his game. He plays big time minutes for this club and leads by example every time he steps on the ice. Glad to see him get rewarded this past weekend,” said Metro head coach Justin Quenneville.
2nd Star: Nils Markgren, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Justin Andriaccio, F, Southern Tier Xpress – Tyler Dalton, F, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Avery Huibregtse, D, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Mark McGee, F, Toledo Cherokee
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Steven Thompson, forward, Billings Bulls
It was a big week for the Billings Bulls as they picked up three wins against three different opponents to climb the Frontier Division standings. 20-year-old forward Steven Thompson was not only productive during the week, but consistent as well as the native of Palmdale, CA racked up six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in the three wins, along with a +5 rating. On New Year’s Eve, Thompson (5’8/160) had a goal and two assists in a 6-1 home win over Great Falls. On Saturday night, he picked up an assist in a 5-2 road win at Yellowstone and on Sunday, he scored twice in a 3-2 home win over the Helen Bighorns. For the season, Thompson has 22 points in 29 games played. “Steven has been one of our smartest hockey players this season and is a guy that plays in all situations for us. It was nice to have him producing this last week, which includes a goal on Sunday, that in my eyes could be up there for goal of the year in the NA3HL,” said Billings head coach Joe Deptula.
2nd Star: Alex Lundstrom, F, Billings Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cade Boreing, F, Gillette Wild – Alex Feese, G, Gillette Wild
South Division Star of the Week: Trent Kulczyk, forward, Nashville Jr. Predators
At the top of the NA3HL and South Division standings is the Nashville Jr. Predators, who are led by forward Trent Kulczyk. The 18-year-old native of Kalamazoo, MI, had another strong weekend as the Jr. Predators ran their win streak to seven straight games with a home-and-home sweep of Point Mallard. On Friday, Kulczyk (5’11/181) had two assists in a 5-3 home win. On Saturday, he had two goals, including the game-winner, in a 4-1 road win. For the season, Kulczyk leads the Jr. Predators in scoring with 36 points in 25 games played. His 21 goals is tied for 2nd in the NA3HL.“Trent has been a great leader on and off the ice. The best thing about Trent is we can count on his consistency every weekend. We are truly lucky to have such a positive, skilled athlete playing for us, and mentoring his fellow teammates. He is extremely happy to be playing in Nashville, and is looking forward to helping this team succeed in the upcoming playoffs,” said Nashville head coach Karlis Zirnis.
2nd Star: Jacob Lainesse, F, Nashville Jr. Predators
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
West Division Star of the Week: Bo Gronseth, forward, Alexandria Blizzard
The Alexandria Blizzard picked up two wins in their three games last week and forward Bo Gronseth, 20, was the offensive leader. The native of Hermantown, MN, totaled six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in the three games as the Blizzard went 2-1. On New Year’s Eve, Gronseth (5’11/180) had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 home win over Twin City. After the team was shutout on Friday against Granite City, the club turned around on Saturday and got a 4-3 win over the Lumberjacks. Gronseth had two goals, including the game-winner, and two assists in the win. For the season, Gronseth has 28 points in 22 games played for Alexandria this season. “Bo really picked up his work ethic and intensity since coming back after break and it has lead to him getting off to a hot start so far after Christmas. I am looking forward to watch him be one of my leaders for the rest of the season,” said Alexandria head coach Jeff Crouse.
2nd Star: Robbie Goor, G, Twin City Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dallas Marvin, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Ryan Mezera, D, Breezy Point North Stars – Alex Mimmack, D, Breezy Point North Stars – Jay Paul, F, Twin City Steel – Kohei Sato, F, North Iowa Bulls – Zach Voss, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Dylan Zins, F, North Iowa Bulls
