NA3HL announces monthly player awards for September

Peoria Mustangs Austin Wisely named the Bauer Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month, Billings Bulls Zach Heiser name the Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month and Binghamton Junior Senators Salvatore Lauretta named the Vaughn NA3HL Goaltender of the Month.

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of September.  The Bauer Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month is Austin Wisely of the Peoria Mustangs.  The Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month is Zach Heiser of the Billings Bulls.  The Vaughn NA3HL Goaltender of the Month is Salvatore Lauretta from the Binghamton Jr. Senators.  Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NA3HL monthly awards.

Bauer Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month: Austin Wisely, Peoria Mustangs

Peoria’s 19-year-old Austin Wisely put on a show in September, collecting 9 goals, 14 assists and 23 points through the first month of the 2016-17 season to earn the Bauer Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month award. The 5’11/190lbs forward is currently on an 8-game point streak, which includes 23 total points through his first 8 games (2.88 points per game). In these numbers, he has produced 3 short-handed goals, 1 game-winning goal and one power play goal for the Mustangs. Wisely, native of Chillicothe, Illinois, led the NA3HL in +/- rankings for the month with a +20 effort. “Austin is one of my leaders on the team and it is great to see him get the recognition, as forward of the month,” said Head Coach Dave Karpa.

Runner-Up: Dominik Bogdziul, Binghamton Jr. Senators

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chuck Costello, Cape Cod Islanders – Chas Distelrath, Metro Jets – JP Eykyn, La Crosse Freeze – Ivan Galaguzov, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Jacob Istre, Louisiana Drillers – Brendan Jester, Great Falls Americans – Ricky Kwapich, Toledo Cherokee – Ben Ratner, Wisconsin Whalers – Trystin Sabina, Breezy Point North Stars – Kohei Sato, North Iowa Bills – Ryan Smith, Granite City Lumberjacks – Dillon Steh, Billings Bulls – Nate Walker, Syracuse Stampede

Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month: Zach Heiser, Billings Bulls

Leading the league in two categories for defensemen, Zach Heiser takes the Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month award for September. With a 2.50 point per game average and three power-play goals, the 6’1/190lbs defensemen collected 4 goals and 6 assists through four games played. The 10-point start for the Osseo, Minnesota also earned him NA3HL Player of the Week honors for the week of 9/26-10/2. The 19-year-old grabbed a +13 rating for Bulls this month, along with 2 power play goals, 2 short-handed goals and 1 game-winning goal. “We are proud of Zach being recognized as player of the month. He is a true NCAA prospect and is ready to play in the NAHL. We are excited where Zach's future will takes him,” said Head Coach Michael Richardson.

Runner-Up: Andrew Heckaman, Breezy Point North Stars

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tucker Alspaugh, Louisiana Drillers – Rocco DeRollo, Syracuse Stampede – Lucas Ethington, Binghamton Jr. Senators – Bryce Fisk, Wisconsin Whalers – Patrick Gazich, La Crosse Freeze – Ben Hamilton, Toledo Cherokee – Mike Lyons, North Iowa Bulls – Cameron McAtee, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Dylan Naumovski, Metro Jets – Spencer Nelson, Granite City Lumberjacks – Danny O'Donnell, Great Falls Americans – Thomas Tobey, Cape Cod Islanders

Vaughn Hockey Goaltender of the Month: Salvatore Lauretta, Binghamton Jr. Senators

With the cleanest goalie record in the NA3HL (5-0-0), Binghamton’s Salvatore Lauretta claimed the September Vaughn Hockey Goaltender of the Month honor. The Jr. Senator’s brick wall made 157 saves through five games, adding up five wins for Binghamton. With a .940 SV%, the 6’1/175 lbs 20-year-old had a slim GAA of 2.00. A native of Center Moriches, New York, the veteran goaltender had only 10 goals against in 300 total minutes played. “We are extremely happy for Sal, and very proud of his accomplishment. We rely on Sal for big moments and big games. Our goaltending has stepped up when we needed it too, and it has been a big reason why we are having the success that we are,” said Assistant Coach Nick Perri.

Runner-Up: Peter Ciccarelli, Northeast Generals

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mac Berglove, Granite City Lumberjacks – Chayo Goodwin, Billings Bulls – Michael Hughes, Great Falls Americans – Andrew Kormos, Metro Jets – Kevin Lake, St. Louis Jr. Bulls – Roman Malkov, North Iowa Bulls – Bronson Moore, Breezy Point North Stars – Adrian Morales, Toledo Cherokee – Martin Sten, Syracuse Stampede – Anton Zemba, Cape Cod Islanders

About Bauer Hockey
Bauer Hockey is the world’s most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful Supreme and Vapor lines of products. To learn more, go to www.bauer.com

About Vaughn

Vaughn is the official Goaltending Equipment Partner to the NAHL and serves as the Preferred Goaltending Equipment Supplier of the NA3HL and NAPHL. Founded in 1982, Vaughn became one of the first major hockey production companies to use multiple foam layers in equipment. As strictly a goalie equipment company, the main focus for Vaughn is the innovation and quality of their product. Visit Vaughn online at: www.vaughnhockey.com