3HL announces Combat Hockey 3 stars of the week

The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Three Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending January 15, 2012.  The Three Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2011-12 regular season that honors the top performing players each week of the regular season as nominated by their respective teams.

1st Star: Doug Andrews, forward, Metro Jets
Metro Jets forward Doug Andrews, 19, helped the Jets to a weekend sweep of the Michigan Mountain Cats by recording seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in two wins.  The Macomb, Michigan native struck for a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 7-0 win.  Then on Sunday, Andrews (5’9/170) tied a 3HL season-high with five assists in one game as Metro recorded the weekend sweep with an 8-2 win over the Mountain Cats.  For the season, Andrews has 37 points in 31 games played and is 4th on the Jets roster in scoring.  “He has come a long way since arriving at camp and one of the most improved players on the roster,” said Jets head coach Jason Cirone.  “He works very hard and knows how to distribute the puck.”

2nd Star: Josh Beleski, forward, Metro Jets
Andrews’ teammate Josh Beleski, 18, also had a great weekend in helping the Jets sweep over the Mountain Cats.  The Southgate, Michigan native recorded six points (4 goals, 2 assists) in two games.  Beleski (6’0/195) recorded a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 7-0 wins.  On Sunday, he recorded a hat-trick and an assist in an 8-2 win.  Beleski, who very recently signed an NAHL tender to play for the Jamestown Ironmen next season, has 23 points in 26 games played this season. “Josh has really played well of late and I think the tender to Jamestown has been affirmation of that,” said Cirone.  “He is a centerman and understands how to win face-offs and do the little things.  We drafted him #1 two years ago and glad we showed patience in him.”

3rd Star: Hayden Hanson, defenseman, Flint Jr. Generals
17-year-old Flint defenseman Hayden Hanson was a big factor in Flint’s weekend sweep of the 1st place Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks.  With the two wins, the Jr. Generals sit just two points away from Cleveland with a game in hand.  The blueliner from Chagrin Falls, Ohio helped his team to a 4-1 win on Saturday.  On Sunday, Hanson (6-2/195) recorded the game-winning goal and an assist in a 3-1 win, helping to complete the sweep.  In just 12 games this season, Hanson had six points.  “Hayden has been playing well for a very young defenseman,” said Flint head coach Jeff Worlton.  “He is maturing every game, learning how to play big and using his size to his advantage.”

Other players nominated were (alphabetical order): Nick Bectel, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Riley Bengston, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Kyle Bonstrom, forward, Minnesota Flying Aces – Robert Hintz, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Matt Kroska, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Philip Lux, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Chase Martin, forward, Queen City Steam – Ken Miloser, defenseman, Fling Jr. Generals – Jake Nordenstrom, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames – Tyler Pionk, forward, Minnesota Flying Aces – Nikolas Sakellaropoulos, defenseman, Peoria Mustangs – Corey Sikich, defenseman, Quad City Jr. Flames – Zac Sikich, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Jackson Steltmann, goaltender, North Iowa Bulls – Trevor Voelker, forward, Queen City Steam – Jordan Wood, goaltender, Michigan Mountain Cats.