NA3HL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending October 1, 2017. 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: Dominic Skrelja, Forward, North Iowa Bulls
Skrelja, 17, had himself quite the weekend in a battle of NA3HL powers. The South Lyon, Michigan native was the catalyst of the North Iowa offense as Skrelja’s four goals and one assist propelled the Bulls to a weekend sweep of the previously undefeated Metro Jets. The Bulls forward scored the game winning goal in Sunday’s matinee and finished the weekend with a plus-5 rating.
2nd Star: Alec Seeger, F, La Crosse Freeze
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Colin Cain, G, North Iowa Bulls – Anthony Fortin, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Carter Grobstick, F, Wisconsin – Drew Schenkenberg, G, Rochester Ice Hawks
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Cole Therrien, Forward, Cape Cod Islanders
Just a week after being named the Coastal Divsion’s 2nd star of the week, Cape Cod’s Cole Therrien elevated his game to another level this week. In three games, the 19-year old, registered three goals and three assists. He notched a hat trick on Wednesday in the Islanders’ 5-2 win over the Maine Wild.
2nd Star: Ryan Cortez, G, Long Beach Sharks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
East Division Star of the Week: Dominick Glavach, Forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance
It was another great week for the Pittsburgh Vengeance forward as this is his second Star of the Week honor. In a pair of games, Glavach was able to visit the red light district three times. The Indiana, Pennsylvania native is tied for the league lead in goals with 11.
2nd Star: Michael Papaioannou, F, Toledo Cherokee
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ben Farley, F, Toledo Cherokee – Tyler Hawk, G, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Nick Battaglia, Goalie, Helena Bighorns
Just when you thought his performance a few weeks ago was good, his latest weekend was incredible. In a weekend sweep of the Yellowstone Quake, Battaglia turned aside 104 of 108 shots thrown his way, good for an outstanding 96.2 save percentage. For the season, Battaglia improved to 4-0 with a 2.77 goals against average.
2nd Star: Adam Vandenbos, F, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matt Janke, F, Great Falls Americans – Jarrett Scheibel, F, Helena Bighorns
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Rhett McDonald, Defenseman, Peoria Mustangs
There are not too many times that defenseman record hat tricks, but on Saturday in Nashville, that’s exactly what Rhett McDonald did. Three goals and three assists helped the Mustangs to a 12-2 victory on Saturday. McDonald added an assist in the second game of the series on Sunday.
2nd Star: Matthew Monreal, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ivan Galaguzov, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Eric Melso, Forward, Binghamton Junior Senators
Melso, 19, was able to turn in back-to-back five point performances in a weekend sweep of the Skylands Kings. The Philadelphia native registered a hat trick on Friday night and followed that up with a goal and four assists on Saturday. Melso was credited with the game winning goal on Friday and wrapped up the weekend with a plus-9 rating.
2nd Star: Andrew Logar, F, Niagara Falls PowerHawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Craig Garrigan, F, Skylands Kings – Steven Kozikoski, G, Oswego Stampede – Stephan Minichello, F, Niagara Falls PowerHawks – Ben White, F, Oswego Stampede – Jeremy Wilber, F, Binghamton Junior Senators – Mathias Yttereng, G, Skylands Kings
South Division Star of the Week: Fletcher Chun, Forward, Point Mallard
The Memphis, Tennessee native had just one point coming into the weekend against the College Station Spirit. He left the two game series with a six point weekend. Chun, 19, scored a hat trick and also had an assist on Saturday and then added another two goals on Sunday.
2nd Star: Kyle Konin, G, Atlanta Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Bernardini, F, Point Mallard Ducks – Oliver Lester, D, Atlanta Capitals – Brandon Vukasin, F, Louisiana Drillers
West Division Star of the Week: Ryan Pearson, Forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
In a battle of West Division rivals, Ryan Pearson excelled in the high intensity atmosphere. In the Lumberjacks’ weekend sweep of Breezy Point North Stars, Pearson scored twice in both games and was able to add an assist in each game as well.
2nd Star: Max Oelkers, F, Willmar Warhawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Braden Altena, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Peter Johnson, D, Alexandria Blizzard – Logan Nelson, F, Alexandria Blizzard – Braden Shea, F, Willmar Warhawks