NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending December 2, 2018. The divisional stars of the week are awards 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: Mikael Foucher, G, St. Louis Jr. Blues
As the Blues continue to gain ground on Milwaukee in the Centra Division race, Foucher’s work in backstopping a pair of victories over the Power was outstanding. Allowing a total of just four goals on 69 shots, Foucher earned wins in both matchups — on Saturday and Sunday. The first game needed a shootout to be decided as well, where Foucher shut down the three Power skaters. Foucher finished with a .942 save percentage across his two starts last week, and now boasts an 11-2-1-0 record this season.
2nd Star: Jaycob Bland, F, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chuck Bay, F, Milwaukee Power — Noah Brandau, G, Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts — Nathan Cole, F, Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts — Anthony Fortin, F, Wisconsin Whalers — Luke Hefty, D, Wisconsin Whalers — Brady Lindauer, F, Coulee Region Chill — Connor Losen, D, Coulee Region Chill — Jake Peterson, D, Milwaukee Power — Jarod Wisely, F, Peoria Mustangs - Tom Yurisich, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Coastal Division Star of the Week: JP Chauvin, D, L/A Nordiques
Chauvin found the scoresheet multiple times in each of L/A’s three outings last week, stretching his point streak from the blue line to nine straight games as the Nordiques earned their 11th, 12th and 13th victories in a row. Friday saw him notch three assists in a win over Cape Cod — his 11th three-plus point outing in 25 games this season. On Saturday, Chauvin took a starring role in a key win over Northeast — who had won 13 in a row coming into the contest — as he assisted on one goal and netted the game-winner to cap off a late-game comeback and help L/A win 3-2. Chauvin rounded out his weekend with yet another multi-point showing, this time adding two helpers in another win over the Islanders. His strong weekend now has Chauvin leading all NA3HL blueliners with 15-41—56 in just 25 outings this season.
2nd Star: Tami Meriläinen, D, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Colby Audette, F, L/A Nordiques — Luke Church, F, Maine Wild — John Driscoll, G, Northeast Generals — Andrew Ghimpeteaneau, G, Maine Wild
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Coleman Varty, F, Gillette Wild
Varty — Gillette’s leading scorer — paced the Wild’s offensive efforts over the weekend once again, notching five points in two games. Friday saw him bag a goal and a helper to go alongside a +3 rating. Saturday featured more of the same, as Varty found twine once more, this time on the power-play, and add two more assists. Varty was held pointless through two games from Nov. 17-23, but has since regained his form to post nine points across his last three outings.
2nd Star: Connor Fuchs, D, Bozeman Icedogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Michael Allman, G, Yellowstone Quake — Ethan Becker, D, Gillette Wild — Logan Cooksy, G, Yellowstone Quake — George Nuutinen, F, Great Falls Americans — Brandon Peterson, D, Great Falls Americans — Trevor Prince, F, Missoula Jr. Bruins — Alexander Rogers, G, Helena Bighorns — Isaac Smoldon, F, Bozeman Icedogs
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Dinmukhamed Dzhangarashev, D, Binghamton Jr. Senators
Dzhangarashev provided a steady jolt to the Senators’ offense from the blue line last week with five points in two games. On Friday, he netted twice and assisted another pair as Binghamton topped Skylands. The rematch on Saturday, while a much closer contest, still heavily featured Dzhangarashev as he was one of three Senators to score in a first-period flurry of three goals that served as enough to win the 3-1 contest. After a largely streaky season from a point-production standpoint, Dzhangarashev has recent come alive on the scoresheet, potting 12 points in his last six games.
2nd Star: Kavan Johnson, G, Skylands Kings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dylan Candleana, F, Oswego Stampede — Trevor Christopher, D, Skylands Kings — Cherokee Fox, G, Oswego Stampede — Manny Sigal, D, Niagara Falls Powerhawks
South Division Star of the Week: Brody Nielsen, F, Atlanta Capitals
Though his Capitals went 1-2 against division rival Louisiana last week, Nielsen was a key cog in each of Atlanta’s efforts, scoring in each game and adding four helpers along the way. The Newport, MI native factored in on each of the Capital’s two goals on Friday with 1g, 1a. Saturday saw Atlanta take an 8-2 win thanks to a goal and three assists from Nielsen, whose four points led all skaters in the contest. On Sunday, Nielsen capped off his weekend with another goal — his team-leading 23rd of the season.
2nd Star: Parker Mara, F, Texas Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Hayden Watzka, F, Louisiana Drillers — Drew Wotta, F, Louisiana Drillers
West Division Star of the Week: Carson Simon, F, Breezy Point North Stars
With goals in each of his last two outings coming into the week’s action, Simon was already riding a high as he broke out with four goals in two contests last week. Friday’s 8-7 win over Willmar was his crown jewel, as Simon notched a hat-trick in spectacular fashion, netting two third-period goals to tie the game and force OT, then tallying the game-winner in extra time. He then carried his strong play into Saturday, notching an assist and a +2 rating in a 5-4 loss to Granite City.
2nd Star: Hunter Schwehr, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jarod Blackowiak, F, North Iowa Bulls — Zack DeBoom, F, Granite City Lumberjacks — Jimmy McDermott, F, North Iowa Bulls — Dan Wieber, D, Breezy Point North Stars
