NA3HL announces monthly player awards for March

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of March 2021. The Bauer Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month is Matthew DeRosa of the Rochester Grizzlies. The Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month is Matej Palfy of the Texas Brahmas. The Vaughn NA3HL Goaltender of the Month is Shane Soderwall of the Rochester Grizzlies. Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NA3HL monthly awards.

 

Bauer Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month: Matthew DeRosa, Rochester Grizzlies

DeRosa recorded 9g-5a—14pts in seven games last month, tallying two or more goals in three contests and averaging two points per game to help the Grizzlies finish atop the Central Division standings. After sandwiching a two-goal outing against Oregon with his only two goose-eggs of the month to kick things off, DeRosa went on a tear with 2-1—3 and 3-1—4 outings against Milwaukee, potting the game-winning goal in both matchups and marking his first hat-trick of the season in the latter tilt. From there, the 2001-born sniper continued to roll with a goal in each of the two remaining games and three more helpers in the span, closing out the month with four straight multi-point efforts. DeRosa finished the regular season with 24g-19a—43a in 38 games.

Runner-Up: James Clarke, Northeast Generals

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jared Bratton, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Ethan Chesney, Peoria Mustangs — Jack Cooper, Texas Brahmas — Joey Gimberlin, New Ulm Steel — Jackson Henningsgard, Great Falls Americans — Carson Jones, North Iowa Bulls — Jack Lambert, Louisiana Drillers — Carson Simon, Granite City Lumberjacks - Isaiah Thomas, Willmar Warhawks — Sam VanderHoeven, Oregon Tradesmen

 

Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month: Matej Palfy, Texas Brahmas

Palfy’s two-way prowess shone bright in March, as the native of Kosice, SVK bagged 4g-8a—12pts in just eight games to go with a steady +13 rating in that span. Palfy opened the month with a goal and four assists in a three-game set against Louisiana, then flexed his muscle with a goal in three straight games against El Paso, notching an assist in that tripleheader as well. The 2001-born blueliner chipped in three assists in the two remaining games as well to close out the month on a six-game points streak. Palfy never sacrificed his defensive responsibility for offensive production either, as he earned an even 0 or better +/- rating in each of his eight outings last month en route to a cumulative +13. Since joining the NA3HL Brahmas in January, Palfy boasts 8g-16a—24pts in 21 games, with a +31 rating in that span.

Runner-Up: Deacon More, Northeast Generals

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Blake Arneson, Rochester Grizzlies — Hunter Bjorge, Willmar Warhawks — Jack Craycroft, Peoria Mustangs — Tal Halliday, Granity City Lumberjacks - Nate Looft, New Ulm Steel — Ty Lorring, Great Falls Americans — Chase Morgan, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Cal Nauss, North Iowa Bulls — Branwen Pollett, Oregon Tradesmen — Frank Steinway, Louisiana Drillers

 

Vaughn NA3HL Goaltender of the Month: Shane Soderwall, Rochester Grizzlies

Soderwall went 4-0-0 in the month of March and stopped 107 of 113 total shots against — good for a  a .947 save percentage, 1.50 GAA and one shutout as he backstopped the Grizzlies’ winning efforts. Following a 30-save victory over Oregon in which he gave up three goals, Soderwall allowed just three more goals in his remaining three starts in March, stopping 37 of 39 against the Tradesmen the following day and 22 of 23 against Milwaukee on March 13. Capping things off in style, Soderwall posted his sixth shutout off the season — and fifth since the start of 2021 — with an 18-save effort against Wausau on March 18. The 2002-born netminder rolls into the playoffs on the strength of a solid regular season, having posted a 19-2-0 record with a sterling .949 save percentage and 1.30 GAA to go with his six shutouts.

Runner-Up: Dolan Gilbert, Texas Brahmas

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chris Branch, Louisiana Drillers — Patrick Colburn, Northeast Generals — Griffin Foster, New Ulm Steel — Danny Fraga, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Cole Garver, Oregon Tradesmen — Lukas Haugen, Willmar Warhawks — Bailey Huber, Granite City Lumberjacks - Trever Mellen, Great Falls Americans — Carsen Stokes, North Iowa Bulls — Cole Walter, Peoria Mustangs