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 March 4, 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: Mike Baker, forward, Toledo Cherokee
Cherokee forward Mike Baker, 20, was instrumental in Toledo’s road sweep at Flint, the regular season champions of the East Division. Baker and the Cherokee put forth a valiant effort in the weekend sweep. The Durand, Michigan native registered five points in the two wins, which included two goals and three assists. On Saturday, Baker recorded the game-winning goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Jr. Generals. The next night, Baker was even better adding another goal and two more assists in another 4-2 win over Flint. Baker is currently 4th on the Cherokee roster with 41 points in 45 games played. “Mike comes to play every game,” said Toledo head coach Scott Syring. “He is exactly what a coach wants in a player, he is a great leader and he has a great chance to move onto the next level by playing hockey in college.”
2nd Star: Trevor Voelker, forward, Queen City Steam
In a pair of weekend home wins over the Michigan Mountain Cats, Trevor Voelker, 17, and the Queen City Steam were able to finish the regular season on a high note. The forward from Columbus, Ohio, recorded three goals over the weekend, including one game-winner and had a hand in 50% of Queen City’s goals. On Saturday, Voelker had the eventual game-winning goal in the 1st period in a 3-0 shutout of the Mountain Cats. The next day, Voelker recorded two more goals in a 3-2 win. Voelker is the active scoring leader on the Steam roster this season, finishing with 38 points in 44 games played. “All his success comes purely from hard work and a desire to get better every time he is on the ice,” said Steam coach Lee Lansdowne. “He has had a tremendous rookie season.”
3rd Star: Trace Jablin, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Trace Jablin, 18, helped the Central Division champion St. Louis Jr. Blues take three of four points from the Twin City Steel over the weekend. Jablin, who signed an NAHL tender with Kenai River earlier this season, recorded two goals and two assists for four points during the weekend. On Saturday, the St. Louis, Missouri native was at his best as he registered two goals and an assist in a 7-4 win over the Steel. On Sunday, Jablin had an additional assist in a close 5-4 loss in overtime. Jablin is currently 4th in scoring for the Jr. Blues with 41 points in 46 games played. “Trace isn’t the biggest kid on the ice, but he plays big and doesn’t shy away from being physical,” said Jr. Blues head coach J.P. Beilsten. “He plays in every situation and has really stepped his game up since signing the tender with Kenai River, which tells me he wants to become a better hockey player every time he steps on the ice.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical order): Jacob Bearss, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Joe Bowler, defenseman, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Bobby Chapman, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Blayne Ellson, defenseman, Granite City Lumberjacks – Drake Fisher, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames – Lukas Gavalier, goaltender, Toledo Cherokee – Marshall Helton, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Grant Holler, goaltender, Granite City Lumberjacks – Luke McCarthy, forward, Quad City Jr, Flames – David Mnatsyan, defenseman, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Nick Okada, forward, Queen City Steam – Joe Sheena, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Nico Vecchio, forward, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Jordan Wood, goaltender, Michigan Mountain Cats.
