NA3HL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) announced today the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending October 16, 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 eight divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.

 

Central Division Star of the Week: Sean Mallonee, forward, North Iowa Bulls
With a six point weekend, forward Sean Mallonee produced a well-rounded weekend for the Bulls. The 18-year-old from Kennewick, WA had three goals (one on the power play), three assists, and a +4 rating for North Iowa. “Sean had a great weekend for us offensively, and is beginning to string games together where he has been productive.  Sean is a tenacious competitor, and he leaves it on the ice every night,” said Head Coach Todd Sanden.

2^nd Star: Pat Gazich, defense, La Crosse Freeze

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Clayton Brown, forward, Wisconsin Whalers - Taylor Dickert, forward, Wisconsin Whalers – Brady Meyers, goaltender, North Iowa Bulls

 

Coastal Division Star of the Week: Carmine Taffo, forward, Long Beach Sharks
An offensive explosion came from 20-year-old forward Carmine Taffo, who collected four goals, three assists and a +8 rating through the weekend. The Staten Island, New York native contributed a game-winning goal and power play goal for the Sharks at home. “Taffo was an impact player in our series against the Spirit.  His 7 points in two games reflect the impact he had on the series,” said Head Coach Mike Stanaway.

2^nd Star: Derric Trudeau, forward, Northeast Generals

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Aaron Deady, forward, Cape Cod Islanders – Bill Hickey, defenseman, Northeast Generals – Kyle Van Wagner, goaltender, Long Beach Sharks

 

East Division Star of the Week: Sam Woznicki, goaltender, West Michigan Wolves
Facing 25 shots in a single period, Wolves’ goalie Sam Woznicki stood tall in net, facing 42 shots on Saturday at home. The Walled Lake, Michigan native collected a .976 SV% in 60 minutes of play, allowing only one goal. “Sam comes to the rink focused and prepared every day.  His preparation and work ethic has given us the goaltending we need to be successful.  Saturday night was a prime example stopping 41 of 42 shots,” said Head Coach Mark Lawrence.

2^nd Star: Robby Flannery, forward, Metro Jets

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jake Gwillim, goaltender, Metro Jets – Tom Harrison, defenseman, West Michigan Wolves – Jacob Hough, goaltender, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Hunter Kepple, forward, Southern Tier Xpress – Nick Lyon, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance

 

Frontier Division Star of the Week: Misha Akatnov, forward, Missoula Junior Bruins
Leading the Junior Bruins in points, the forward from Tyumen, Russia scored five goals over the weekend for Missoula. The 18-year-old posted a +5 rating, grabbed a game-winning goal, and collected a power play goal in two games. “Misha was outstanding in our win on Saturday night in Great Falls. He has been a consistent threat in every game this season and it was great to see him get rewarded on the score sheet this weekend,” said Head Coach Marcus Baxter.

2^nd Star: Kyle Amundson, forward, Bozeman Icedogs

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ryatt Bayne, forward, Helena Bighorns – John Heddle, forward, Helena Bighorns – Simo Huhtanen, goaltender, Billings Bulls – Daniel Liberko, defenseman,  Bozeman Icedogs – Peyton Tofte, forward, Billings Bulls

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Trevor Wilhelm, defenseman, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Defenseman Trevor Wilhelm came up big for the Jr Blues, netting two goals and two assists for St. Louis. Playing in his hometown, Wilhem stood at +5 after two action packed games at home over the weekend. “Trevor played a big role for our club this weekend.  He was assigned to play against the Whalers top line and shut them down.  Trevor also chipped in on the score sheet, as he scored 2 goals and added an assist, while being a +5 during both games,” said Head Coach Chris Flaugher.

2^nd Star: Jon Grimm, forward, Evansville Thunderbolts

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Conor Cunningham, defenseman, Nashville Jr. Predators – James Fry, goaltender, Evansville Thunderbolts – Tyler Geloneck, goaltender, Cincinnati Thunder – Mason Koster, goaltender, Nashville Jr. Predators – Hunter Smith, goaltender, St. Louis Jr. Blues           

 

Northeast Division Star of the Week: Peter Izzo, forward, Roc City Royals
Continuing a four-game point streak, Peter Izzo added six points for Roc City over the weekend. With two goals, four assists, and a +4 rating, the 17-year-old from Oakville, Ontario grabbed his first game-winning goal of the season. “Peter's compete factor and work ethic has set the tone for our team. He was in for 7 of the 14 goals we scored over the weekend series,” said Head Coach Marc Staley.

2^nd Star: Ryan Flanagan, forward, Binghamton Jr. Senators

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tristan Ayoubi, forward, Syracuse Stampede – Rocco DeRollo, defenseman, Syracuse Stampede – Dom Bogdziul, forward, Binghamton Jr. Senators, Nick Sesock, goaltender, Roc City Royals

 

South Division Star of the Week: Nick Sheridan, forward, Euless Jr. Stars
Standing strong in the faceoff circle, Nick Sheridan controlled 25/35 draws for Euless through two games this weekend. The 18-year-old forward from Ann Arbor, Michigan added a power play goal and three assists to add four points to the Jr. Stars’ side of the score sheet. “Nick is our best player as far as playing all three zones, including both offensive and defensive sides of game. He does everything for our team: hits, block shots, wins face-offs, makes key simple plays that lead into big plays. You can tell Nick loves to play the game, as there isn't a moment he does not have a smile on his face. We look forward to nick playing a big part of our success this season,” said Head Coach Don Babineau.

2^nd Star: Connor Taylor, forward, Louisiana Drillers

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sascha Figi, forward, Atlanta Capitals – Brayden Hutchinson, forward, Louisiana Drillers – Kevin LaPlante, defenseman, Point Mallard Ducks – Elias Nilsson, forward, Point Mallard Ducks, Tristen Poliseno, defenseman, Atlanta Capitals – Tristan Wilson, forward, Euless Jr. Stars        

 

West Division Star of the Week: Caleb Anderson, forward, Alexandria Blizzard
With an overtime game-winning goal on Saturday, Caleb Anderson helped the Alexandria Blizzard to give Granite City their first set of losses for the season. The 19-year-old forward from Sioux Falls, South Dakota also had a goal in the Blizzard’s 4-0 shutout on the road against the Lumberjacks on Friday. “Caleb really picked up his game this past weekend physically.  He used his size to create space and it paid off. He was the best player on the ice against the then undefeated Granite City team,” said Head Coach Jeff Crouse.

2^nd Star: Brey Effertz, goaltender, Alexandria Blizzard

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Will Mix, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Alex Nagel, forward, New Ulm Steel – Casey Esselman, defenseman, Granite City Lumberjacks