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 January 13, 2019. 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: Blake Holmes, D, Coulee Region Chill
A three-game weekend set saw the Chill take a pair of wins, topping Wausau and splitting with New Ulm. Coulee Region had its usual offensive production up front, but also received a boost from the back end as Holmes chipped in a goal in each game and six total points on the weekend. Holmes twice found twine with the man-advantage, and went +4 through the week. He also logged multi-point games on both Thursday and Sunday, marking the 10th time in his last 13 games the blueliner has posted two or more points.
2nd Star: Brandon Hay, F, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Benjamin Beversdorf, F, Milwaukee Power — Caleb Beversdorf, F, Milwaukee Power — Sam Hanson, F, Wisconsin Whalers — Brady Lindauer, F, Coulee Region Chill — Matthew Monreal, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Justin Schwartzmiller, F, Wisconsin Whalers — Jacob Wiethaupt, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Conner Barter, F, New England Stars
Barter saw action just twice last week but made sure his impact was heavily felt in both contests. The Lowell, MA native potted his first hat-trick of the season on Saturday before adding two more tallies to his total on Sunday, when he also nabbed the game-winner. Barter’s five-goal outburst eclipsed his previous two-game high of four from Oct. 6-7.
2nd Star: Valeri Rykov, F, L/A Nordiques
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Carson Asper, F, Northeast Generals — Sam Frechette, F, L/A Nordiques — Michael Lempiainen, F, New England Stars — Deacon More, D, Northeast Generals — Tom Spero, G, Maine Wild
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Vadim Zubkov, F, Missoula Jr. Bruins
It was a banner outing for Zubkov on Friday as his Bruins toppled second-ranked Helena 8-3 in a game that saw him post a stunning seven points for the second time this season. The Russian forward potted four goals and three helpers to lead his team to victory. And while Missoula dropped Saturday’s rematch, Zubkov still posted a pair of goals, and now boasts 10 markers in his last five games.
2nd Star: Ben Rinckey, F, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Shane Phillips, G, Gillette Wild — Hendrik Robel, D, Great Falls Americans — Gage Thompson, F, Gillette Wild — Christian Ward, F, Missoula Jr. Bruins
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Kavan Johnson, G, Skylands Kings
Johnson was titanic in goal for Skylands last week with a pair of wins over Oswego and a total save percentage of .953. On Saturday, he faced down 33 of 34 shots and allowed just one goal in a close 2-1 win. Sunday featured more of the same from Johnson despite being on the back end of the back-to-back set, as the netminder turned aside 29 of 31 in a 4-2 victory.
2nd Star: Mike Padgeon, F, Binghamton Jr. Senators
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Burkhart, F, Skylands Kings — Greg Simmons, F, Binghamton Jr. Senators
South Division Star of the Week: Thomas Held, G, Texas Brahmas
The Brahmas took two crucial wins on the road at Louisiana last weekend, and while potting 10 goals in two games is certainly a recipe for success, the play of netminder Held was key to Texas’ victories. Held started both games in the back-to-back, even after a monster 45-save showing in a 5-1 win on Saturday. The Orchard Park, NY native followed that effort up with another strong performance on Sunday, allowing just two goals on 34 shots in a 5-2 win for the sweep. In total, Held recorded a stellar .959 save percentage with 77 combined saves across his two starts.
2nd Star: Josh Linn, F, Mid Cities Jr. Stars
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ben Cope, D, Louisiana Drillers — Cal Couell, D, Texas Brahmas — Brendan Fehlig, F, College Station Spirit — Matthew Taylor, F, Mid Cities Jr. Stars — Drew Wotta, F, Louisiana Drillers
West Division Star of the Week: Grant Troumbly, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
The Lumberjacks had a bit of a gauntlet to run last week with a road game at Rochester and two at St. Louis, but made it look easy with comfortable wins in all three. Troumbly was at the center of their efforts, scoring in each contest and recording an assist in two. Troumbly’s goal on Saturday stood as the game-winner as the Lumberjacks took the first tilt against the Central Division-leading Jr. Blues. The Bovey, MN native now boasts goals in five straight outings after being held off the scoresheet for two in a row at the Showcase in December.
2nd Star: Michael Savelkoul, F, New Ulm Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Keegan Bauman, F, New Ulm Steel — Jacob Berkowitz, F, Breezy Point North Stars — Cameron Fagerlee, F, North Iowa Bulls — Casey Hormann, D, Breezy Point North Stars — David Mulligan, G, Granite City Lumberjacks — Dysen Skinner, G, North Iowa Bulls
