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 February 8, 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: Ryan Martin, forward, Wisconsin Whalers
For the second week in a row, Wisconsin Whalers forward Ryan Martin, 20, was honored as the Central Star of the Week for another outstanding effort. The native of Rochester, MN, totaled seven points in two more wins during the weekend as the Whalers maintained their spot atop of the division with a weekend home-and-home sweep of Chicago. On Friday, Martin (5’10/170) had a hat-trick in a 7-2 win over the Jr. Bulldogs. On Saturday, he scored twice, including the game-winning goal and had two assists in a 9-2 home win. He was also a +6 during the weekend. Martin is 2nd on the team in scoring with 57 points in 31 games played. His 57 points ranks 3rd among all NA3HL scorers and his 30 goals leads the league. Martin has been selected to play on the Central Division team at the 2015 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament. “Ryan is playing some of his best hockey right now and is one of our leaders heading to our playoff run,” said Whalers head coach Tom McDermott.
2nd Star: Andrew Wagner, G, La Crosse Freeze
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Andrej Buchko, F, Peoria Mustangs – Devin Farkas, F, West Michigan Wolves – Marc Hayton, G, Peoria Mustangs – Peter Henderson, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Alex Klaesner, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Andy McGlynn, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Hunter Smith, F, La Crosse Freeze – Dakota Ulmer, F, West Michigan Wolves
East Division Star of the Week: Tyler Zalecki, forward, Toledo Cherokee
Toledo cruised to a weekend home sweep of Cincinnati and veteran forward Tyler Zalecki, 19, was all over the ice. The native of Northwood, OH, had six points during the two wins and was also a +5. On Friday, Zalecki (5’11/185) had a hat-trick, which included the game-winning goal and added an assist in a 7-1 win. On Saturday, Zalecki had another goal and an assist in a 7-0 win. For the season, Zalecki is 2nd in team scoring with 50 points in 41 games played and leads the team with 21 goals. Zalecki has been selected to play at the 2015 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament for Team East. "Tyler has been our most consistent two-way player this season and his offensive outburst this past weekend just shows what kind of player he can be,” said Toledo head coach Kenny Miller.
2nd Star: Cody Gibson, G, Southern Tier Xpress
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Luke Grossman, F, Southern Tier Xpress
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Grant Martens, goalie, Helena Bighorns
Helena Bighorns goalie Grant Martens, 19, had a couple of big games this past weekend as Helena continued to climb the standings in the Frontier Division. The native of Bloomington, MN, picked up back-to-back wins on Saturday and Sunday, allowing just two goals in the process. On Saturday, Martens (6’2/192) posted his league-leading 6th shutout of the season in a 6-0 home win over the Glacier Nationals, making 20 saves. On Sunday, Martens made 46 saves and stopped 8 of 9 shooters in the shootout as Helena went on the road and picked up a 3-2 shootout win against the 1st place Great Falls Americans. For the weekend, Martens stopped 66 of the 68 shots that came his way. Martens was selected to represent the Frontier Division at the 2015 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament later in February. “Grant has had a great year and has been very consistent throughout the season. He has really stepped up since break putting up excellent numbers. We are looking to make a big run at this time of the season into post season and he is a huge contributor in that for our team,” said Helena head coach Jon Jonasson.
2nd Star: Lucas Lomax, F, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Blake Babineau, F, Helena Bighorns – Cade Boreing, F, Gillette Wild – Sean Kelley, G, Gillette Wild – Lauren Massie, G, Great Falls Americans
South Division Star of the Week: Tre Kautzman, forward, Topeka Capitals
Topeka forward Tre Kautzman, 18, continued his hot play as he helped the Captials take three of four points in a weekend road series in St. Louis against the Jr. Blues. The native of Bismarck, ND, had five points and was a +3 in the two games. On Saturday, Kautzman (6’0/175) had a goal and three assists in a 6-5 overtime loss. On Sunday, Kautzman scored again as the Capitals defeated the Jr. Blues 4-2. For the season, Kautzman is 3rd on the Capitals roster in scoring with 35 points in 33 games played. His 20 goals leads the team. "Tre played a vital part of this past weekend. He is really turning into a team leader and I'm proud of his progress so far this season,” said Topeka head coach Anthony Bohn.
2nd Star: Jon Severson, F, Nashville Jr. Predators
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): John Crusinberry, D, Topeka Capitals – Josh Hamilton, F, Point Mallard Ducks - Chris Mallon, G, Dallas Jr. Stars – Justin Provencher, D, Point Mallard Ducks - Roni Sener, G, Sugar Land Imperials
West Division Star of the Week: Michael Orke, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
The Granite City Lumberjacks maintained their slim lead atop of the West Division this past week with wins over Breezy Point and Twin City. 18-year-old forward Michael Orke stepped up big as the native of Plymouth, MN, had six points in the two wins and was a +7. Orke (5’10/160) began the weekend with a goal and two helpers in a 5-2 win in Breezy Point on Friday. On Saturday, Orke was one of three Lumberjacks players with a hat-trick, which included the game-winning goal in a 12-1 home win over the Steel. For the season, Orke has 19 points in 22 games played and is a +15. Earlier on this season he appeared in six games with the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness. He has also been selected to play on the West Division team at the 2015 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament. “Michael had a great weekend for us. It is nice to see him finally get rewarded for all the hard work that he has put in,” said Lumberjacks head coach Brad Willner.
2nd Star: Bo Gronseth, F, Alexandria Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Coleton Anderson, F, Breezy Point North Stars – Joe Burgmeier, F, North Iowa Bulls – Joe Carney, D, Alexandria Blizzard – Trey Gardner, F, North Iowa Bulls – Seyia Hayata, D, Breezy Point North Stars – Travis Kothenbeutel, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
