NA3HL announces Bauer Hockey 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 September 11, 2022. 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 five divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Austin Meers, Forward, Rochester Grizzlies
Rochester Grizzlies forward Austin Meers got off to a quick start to kick off the season after combining for 5 points in two games. The St. Charles, MO native, who won a Fraser Cup Championship near his home city last year, found himself near St. Louis again with a weekend series against the St. Louis Jr. Blues. In game one, Meers added a goal and an assist with a +4 rating in a 7-0 shutout over the Jr. Blues. In the second game of the series, Austin added two goals and an assist with a +3 rating in the Bruins 7-2 victory and weekend sweep over the Jr. Blues. Meers is currently tied as the top scorer for the Bruins with 5 points (2-3-5), a +7 rating and averaging 2.50 PP/G.
2nd Star: Ethan Chesney, F, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Connor Carroll, G, Milwaukee Power – Bryce Garber, F, Milwaukee Power – Spencer Klotz, F, Rochester Grizzlies – Patrick Toomey F, Milwaukee Power
East Division Star of the Week: Ian Kangas, Goaltender, Northeast Generals
Northeast Generals netminder, Ian Kangas, picked up two wins and posted a shutout against the New Jersey Titans over the weekend. In game one of the series, Kangas stopped all 23 shots he faced in the Generals 6-0 shutout over the Titans. The following night, Kangas allowed two goals after stopping 36 for a 3-2 overtime win for Northeast. The Virginia, MN native holds a 1.84 GAA, a .929 SV% and a 3-0 record.
2nd Star: Mac Reed, D, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Antoni Vaccaro, G, New Jersey Titans
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Saizha Norwegian, Forward, Gillette Wild
Now in his second season with the Wild, forward Saizha Norwegian earned the Frontier Division star of the week after tallying six points in two games. In the Wild’s home opener, Norwegian put on a show recording 4 points with a hat-trick and an assist in their 8-0 win over Bozeman. In the second game of the series, the Warroad, MN native added two assists in Gillettes 6-1 final to earn the weekend sweep over Bozeman. Norwegian leads the Wild in scoring after two games with 6 points, and averaging 3.00 PP/G.
2nd Star: Josh Koziol, G, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brayson Bennett. F, Yellowstone Quake – Camden Cunningham, F, Helena Bighorns – Andrew Deskin, F, Helena Bighorns – Alex Leaf, D, Great Falls Americans – Wyatt O’Donoghue, D, Yellowstone Quake – Jake Turek, G, Gillette Wild
South Division Star of the Week: No Games
West Division Star of the Week: Nick O’Brien, Defense, New Ulm Steel
New Ulm Steel Defenseman Nick O’Brien totalled 4 points in two games against the Minnesota Loons. O’Brien, a Lino Lakes, MN native, added an assist in the Steels season opener falling 7-1 to Minnesota. In game two of the weekend series, O’Brien added three assists, including an assist in the game tying goal, as New Ulm won 4-3. The blue-liner leads the Steel in scoring with 4 points.
2nd Star: Holden Pratt, D, Minnesota Loons
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Keaton French, G, Minnesota Loons
