NA3HL announces 2021-22 season awards

April 27, 2022

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its award winners for the 2021-22 season, which include: Most Valuable Player, Forward of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, General Manager of the Year and Organization of the Year, along with its All-NA3HL 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and All-Rookie 1^st and 2^nd Teams, Community Service, Leadership, Academic Award, Broadcaster of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year. The awards are voted on by the league’s head coaches and general managers, based upon performance during the 2021-22 season.

Most Valuable Player and Forward of the Year: Carter Newpower, Mason City Toros

Mason City Toros forward Carter Newpower, 20, made the most of his second NA3HL season, as he became of the league’s dynamic offensive players. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Cottage Grove, MN, finished 2^nd in NA3HL scoring with 91 points, which included 37 goals and 54 assists. Newpower, who signed a tender to play in the NAHL during the 2022-23 season with the Norh Iowa Bulls, also had seven points in five Fraser Cup Playoff games. In 82 career NA3HL games over the course of two seasons, Newpower has totaled 122 points.

Defenseman of the Year: Noah Roitman, Rochester Grizzlies

Roitman, 20, who is committed to play NCAA hockey for Concordia University in the Fall, had another impressive season, which was his third and final season playing junior hockey in the NA3HL. The 5’10/185 lbs. native of Inner Grove Heights, MN, had 31 points (6 goals, 25 assists) in just 38 NA3HL games during the 2021-22 regular season. Roitman, who played in the 2022 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament, also spent time in the NAHL this past season with both the Minnesota Wilderness and Minot Minotauros.

Goaltender of the Year: Zach Wiese, Rochester Grizzlies

Wiese, 20, fit right into the starting role for the Grizzlies this season and backstopped them to the Fraser Cup title. The 5’10/210 lbs. native of Owatonna, MN, put together a 20-2-2 record during the 2021-22 regular season. His 20 wins ranked 3^rd in the NA3HL, while his goals against average of 1.70 ranked 4^th. During the Fraser Cup Playoffs, Wiese backstopped the Grizzlies to the title, which included a 29-save shutout in the title game.

Rookie of the Year: Kyle Bauer, Rochester Grizzlies

Bauer, 19, led the Grizzlies in scoring during the regular season with 55 points (24 goals, 31 assists) in 42 games played. He also made his NAHL debut with the Austin Bruins. During the Grizzlies playoff run to the Fraser Cup, Bauer had four points in seven games played. The 5’11/165 lbs. native of Hastings, MN, was the Central Division Star of the Week three times during the 2021-22 season.

Coach of the Year: Chris Ratzloff, Rochester Grizzlies

For the second straight season, Rochester Grizzlies head coach Chris Ratzloff has been honored as the NA3HL Coach of the Year. During the 2021-22 season, he led the Grizzlies to another Central Division regular season and playoff title. During the regular season, the Grizzlies posted a 38-6-3 record. During the playoffs, the Grizzlies posted a 7-2-0 record and won their first Fraser Cup National Championship. In addition, the Grizzlies saw six players called up to the NAHL during the season and had four more players tendered.

General Manager of the Year: Brad Willner, Granite City Lumberjacks

Willner, who just completed his 13^th season as General Manager and Head Coach of the Lumberjacks, had a year to remember behind the bench and for player advancement. In terms of player advancement, there was no team as good as the Lumberjacks, who saw six players called up to the NAHL this past season and seven more sign NAHL tenders for the 2022-23 season. On the ice, the Lumberjacks won the West Division regular season and playoff titles, which included a 38-game winning streak from October 2-February 20. The Lumberjacks were 2^nd in NA3HL attendance and Willner also guided the Lumberjacks to the Fraser Cup Championship game.

Organization of the Year: Rochester Grizzlies

For the second straight season, the Rochester Grizzlies are the NA3HL’s Organization of the Year. Under the ownership of Mike Cooper and Craig Patrick, who also own the NAHL’s Austin Bruins, in just four seasons the Grizzlies have gone from being a brand-new franchise in the NA3HL to winning the Fraser Cup National Championship this past season. The Grizzlies were Top 5 in league attendance and took home league awards for Coach of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, and Community Service Award winner.

Apex Learning Virtual School Academic Achievement Award: Ethan Sodoma, Texas RoadRunners

Sodoma, 18, finished high school with a 4.2 GPA, while also playing 44 games this season for the RoadRunners. The 6’1/185 lbs. native of Las Vegas, NV, and NAPHL grad, has been accepted to Arizona State University, where he will be attending in the Fall with a 75% scholarship for academics. Ethan has worked hard on balancing his hockey and education without sacrificing his potential in either.

Community Service Award: Austin Meers, Rochester Grizzlies

In his first NA3HL season, Rochester Grizzlies forward Austin Meers, 19, made an impact on the ice and in the community. The 6’0/165 lbs. native of St. Charles, MO, had a great rookie season on the ice, putting up 31 points in 45 games played. Off the ice, the NAPHL grad had over 34 hours of volunteering including Channel One Food Bank, Dodge County Learn to Skate, Rochester Raiders Adaptive Soccer Team, Mustang Sled Hockey Team and helping out the Rochester Youth Hockey Termites with off-ice training. Meers was always willing to go when there was a need with any of the groups, and he helped in any way they wanted him to always with a smile and a friendly attitude. The team gained fans in Rochester this season due to Austin's service to the community.

Leadership Award: Declan Young, Gillette Wild

On the ice, Young, 20, completed one of the most prolific careers in NA3HL history. The 6’0/180 lbs. native of Fergus Falls, MN, finished his career with 132 regular season games played and 243 points. His 130 goals now ranks 2^nd all-time in league history and his 243 points in 3^rd all-time. From a leadership perspective, Young was outstanding and provided a positive influence in the lockerroom and in the community. In addition to his team leadership, his took time out during his time in Gillette to assist with Learn to Skate programs and spreading his energy and love for the game to the next generation. Young his committed to play NCAA hockey this Fall at St. Scholastica.

Broadcaster of the Year: Zak McGinniss, Norwich Sea Captains

Volunteer of the Year: Cindy Battleson, Granite City Lumberjacks

All-NA3HL 1st Team

Forward: Kyle Bauer, Rochester Grizzlies

Forward: Carter Newpower, Mason City Toros

Forward: Robby Rabroker, Oklahoma City Ice Hawks

Defense: Taber Gutschick, Helena Bighorns

Defense: Noah Roitman, Rochester Grizzlies

Goalie: Zach Wiese, Rochester Grizzlies

All-NA3HL 2nd Team

Forward: Tylor Greene, Helena Bighorns

Forward: Sam VanderHoeven, Oregon Tradesmen