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 10, 2016. 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 six divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Zach Mains, goaltender, Rochester Ice Hawks
Rochester Ice Hawks goalie Zach Mains, 19, was busy between the pipes over the weekend as he played in two of the three Ice Hawk games and was almost perfect in his two-game effort. On Friday, the native of Savage, MN, made 34 saves and allowed just one goal in a 4-1 home win over the Chicago Jr. Bulldogs. On Sunday, Mains (6’2/200) was even better as he made 51 saves through regulation and overtime to end up with a shutout. However, he allowed just a single goal in the shootout as the Ice Hawks dropped a 1-0 heart breaker in La Crosse against the Freeze. In 18 appearances this season, Mains has a 6-10-1 record with a 3.76 goals against average and a 91.2% save percentage.
2nd Star: Alec Nichols, D, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Connor Boscaccy, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Thomas Hanson, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Ben Henderson, F, La Crosse Freeze – Sean Mallonee, F, North Iowa Bulls – Trey McMillen, F, Rochester Ice Hawks – Dan Toycen, F, La Crosse Freeze
East Division Star of the Week: Ricky Kwapich, forward, Toledo Cherokee
The Toledo Cherokee stayed hot and held themselves firmly in 2nd place in the East with a key weekend road sweep of the Southern Tier Express. Forward Ricky Kwapich, 19, led the way with seven points, which included two goals, five assists and a +4 rating. On Friday, the native of Toledo, OH, had two assists in a 6-0 shutout win. On Saturday, Kwapich (6’0/165) had two goals and three assists in a 6-1 win. For the season, Kwapich leads all Toledo players with 41 points in 29 games played. “Ricky had a very solid weekend in our sweep. He has great skill and he has consistently showed it throughout the season,” said Toledo head coach Kenny Miller.
2nd Star: Brian Dee, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Stack, G, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Kegan Couture, forward, Bozeman Icedogs
The Bozeman Icedogs picked up two big home wins over the Gillette Wild this past weekend and forward Kegan Couture, 20, was front and center in the production department. The native of Pequot Lakes, MN had six points in the two wins and was a +3. On Friday night, Couture (5’10/175) had a goal and three assists in a 6-3 win and on Saturday, he followed that up with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over the Wild. For the season, Couture leads the Icedogs in scoring with 47 points in 30 games played. “Kegan has been a leader all year for us on and off the ice. He is our leading scorer now and has been doing a great job all over the ice. I truly believe he deserves a chance to be playing in the NAHL and can help any team in that league with his ability to play. We certainly wouldn't be where we are in the standings without Kegan,” said Bozeman Head Coach Mark Vichorek.
2nd Star: Ricards Bernhards, F, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Johnny Bonta, F, Helena Bighorns – Brandon Brown, G, Billings Bulls – Keith Gustin, F, Billings Bulls – Gunnar Mogck, F, Bozeman Icedogs – Adam Ranck, G, Helena Bighorns
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Frankie Melton, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
St. Louis Jr. Blues leading scorer Frankie Melton, 18, added to his impressive season with another strong week as the Jr. Blues picked up three wins. The native of St. Louis, MO, had eight points and was a +6 in the three wins. On Wednesday, Melton (5’7/165) had a hat-trick and an assist in a 11-0 home win over Evansville. On Saturday night, Melton had an assist in a 6-4 road win in Cincinnati. On Sunday, he completed his weekend with another hat-trick in a 7-4 win against the Thunder. For the season, Melton leads the Jr. Blues in scoring with 55 points and his 37 goals is currently tops in the NA3HL. “Frankie had a very good week on the score sheet, notching two hat-tricks our three games this week. Frankie has been a constant goal scoring threat all season. His offensive success now has him in North Dakota skating with the NAHL's Bobcats, trying to earn a roster spot this week,” said Jr. Blues head coach Chris Flaugher.
2nd Star: Logan Orem, F, Nashville Jr. Predators
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Friedman, F, Cincinnati Thunder – Joe Nolan, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Kyle Van Wyk, F, Nashville Jr. Predators
South Division Star of the Week: Justin Dunn, forward, Point Mallard Ducks
Trenton, MI native Justin Dunn, 19, had a big offensive weekend as the Ducks picked up three of a possible four points in a home-and-home series with the Nashville Jr. Predators. Dunn (5’11/165) totaled six points (4 goals, 2 assists) in the two games and was a +4. On Friday, he had a goal and an assist in a 5-4 overtime loss. On Saturday, Dunn recorded a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal, and added an assist in a 4-1 win. In 31 games played this season, Dunn leads the Ducks in scoring with 51 points. “Justin had an outstanding weekend. Offensively, he was a catalyst that got us going on both Friday and Saturday. His defensive play was equally impressive and he is a huge part of our penalty-killing group. He has been a constant leader for us all season and it is great to see him being rewarded for his efforts,” said Point Mallard head coach Tom Winkler.
2nd Star: Kayne Fedor, F, Euless Jr. Stars
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Evan Camba, F, Atlanta Capitals – Matt Goodman, D, Point Mallard Ducks – Drew Kelly, D, Atlanta Capitals – Tristan Wilson, F, Euless Jr. Stars
West Division Star of the Week: Eric Moser, defenseman, Granite City Lumberjacks
Granite City defenseman Eric Moser, 19, led his team to two wins to stay firmly atop the West Division as the Lumberjacks beat Twin City and Alexandria on the road over the weekend. The native of Chicago, IL, had three points and +5 rating in the two wins. On Friday, Moser (5’11/200) had a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win in Twin City. The next night, he added another assist in a 4-1 win in Alexandria. In nine games with the Lumberjacks this season, Moser has four points. He began the season playing in the NAHL for the Aberdeen Wings.“Eric had a solid weekend for us on the blueline. Since his arrival in November, he has gained confidence each week and it is starting to pay off with points. He has become a great leader for our younger guys,” said Lumberjacks head coach Brad Willner.
2nd Star: Christian Sanzotterra, G, Breezy Point North Stars
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tony Arias, F, Alexandria Blizzard - Matt Flom, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Reise Kieffer, F, Breezy Point North Stars
