NA3HL announces monthly player awards for January
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of January. The Combat Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month is Eric Behrend from the North Iowa Bulls. The Combat Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month is Connor Langfield from the North Iowa Bulls. The Brian’s Custom Sports NA3HL Goaltender of the Month is David Heflin from the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks. Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NA3HL monthly awards.
Combat Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month: Eric Behrend, North Iowa Bulls
The North Iowa Bulls are on the fast track to the West Division title and their 7-1 record in the month of January was yet another indication that the team isn’t letting off the gas pedal. Forward Eric Behrend, 20, was a wrecking ball on opposing team’s defenses as he racked up a league-high 19 points during month of January. The forward from Waunakee, Wisconsin, totaled eight goals and 11 assists in January, along with two game-winning goals and an incredible +17 rating. However, the most impressive stat for Behrend (6’0/180) is that all eight of his games in January were multi-point games. Thanks to his 19-point month, Behrend currently has 55 points, which ranks him 7th in the NA3HL and 2nd on the North Iowa roster. “Quite simply put Eric is a player that just gets things done. He isn’t the flashiest of players, but he finds a way to manufacture and get dirty points,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden. “He worked hard in the off-season to become a better player and I can honestly say that if we are going to go far in the playoffs, he will have to be one of the players that produces for us come crunch time. That’s how important he is to this team right now.”
Runner-Up: Scott Cuthrell, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Thomas Diffendal, Three Rivers Vengeance – Lynden Fields, Peoria Mustangs - Cody Guidorzi, St Louis Jr. Blues – Easton Halbert Quad City Jr. Flames – Kade Morrison, Michigan Mountain Cats – Drew Otto, Granite City Lumberjacks – Matt Stirling, Metro Jets.
Previous Winners: September 2012, Matt Stirling, Metro Jets – October 2012, Cameron Dimmitt, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – November 2012, Drew Otto, Granite City Lumberjacks – December 2012, Nico Vecchio, Three Rivers Vengeance.
Combat Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month: Connor Langfield, North Iowa Bulls
+19… For some players, a +19 rating is good for a season. For North Iowa Bulls defenseman Connor Langfield, 20, it was his month of January. On top of that, the native of Rosemount, Minnesota, had nine points in just six games played during the month, which makes all of his stats in January that more impressive. He totaled two goals and seven assists during the month and had two multi-point games during the month. Langfield’s (6’1/185) +52 rating to date is tops in the NA3HL and his 38 points and 28 assists to date leads all NA3HL defensemen. “I can’t say enough good things about Connor. He came into this season with a renewed commitment and he earned the #1 defenseman role and because of all that he gets results,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden. “He is great offensively and is really good on the power play. He has a great shot and has learned how to get his shot through traffic to get it on net for a scoring chance.”
Runner-Up: Andrew Sprouse, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mitchell Gwost, Granite City Lumberjacks – Josh Hosking, Metro Jets – Clayton Janecke, Quad City Jr. Flames – Ben Mack, Michigan Mountain Cats – Kerry McGlynn, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Nikolas Sakellaropoulos, Peoria Mustangs – Robbie Sigurdsson, Three Rivers Vengeance.
Previous Winners: September 2012, Tyler Opilka, St. Louis Jr. Blues – October 2012, Matt Petersen, Granite City Lumberjacks – November 2012, Kyle Meeh, St. Louis Jr. Blues – December 2012, Chayce Coenen, Alexandria Blizzard.
Brian’s Custom Sports NA3HL Goaltender of the Month: David Heflin, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
Cleveland goalie David Heflin, 19, has the Jr. Lumberjacks right where they want to be and that’s in 1st place. The native of Mundelein, Illinois was boosted by a very good month of January in which he helped lead Cleveland to an undefeated 8-0 record, while personally posting a 5-0 record. He faced 161 shots during the month and made 152 saves, which was good for a 94.4% save percentage and a 1.80 goals against average. During the month, Heflin set a personal best with 43 saves in a 4-1 win at Flint on January 27th. Heflin ranks 2nd in the NA3HL in wins with 18 and ranks in the Top 7 in both goals against average and save percentage. “He has played really well this year and has been very steady. He has been our back bone and brings the right attitude and work ethic to the rink every day,” said Cleveland head coach Bob Jacobson.
Runner-Up: Clint Steinmeyer, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matt Bartels, North Iowa Bulls - Spencer Craig, Michigan Mountain Cats – Michael Parda, Peoria Mustangs – Tyler Stepke, Three Rivers Vengeance – Robby Vukelich, Quad City Jr. Flames – Austin Wilson, Granite City Lumberjacks.
Previous Winners: September 2012, Mikael Broliden, St. Louis Jr. Blues – October 2012, Michael Parda, Peoria Mustangs – November 2012, Alex Nedeljkovic, Metro Jets – December 2012, Aaron Davis, North Iowa Bulls.
About Combat Hockey
The Official Equipment Supplier of the NAHL, Combat Sports has been extremely successful the past 10 years as the fastest-growing North American baseball/softball bat, hockey stick and lacrosse shaft manufacturing company. Visit Combat online here.
About Brian's Custom Sports
The Official Goaltending Equipment Supplier of the NAHL, Brian's has been a leading Canadian supplier of custom built goal equipment since 1984. The factory is located in Kingsville, Ontario near the Southern tip of Canada with ready access to supplying the North American market. As one of the original and remaining custom goal equipment manufacturers Brian's remains committed to continuing to lead the industry with exceptional design and quality. Visit Brian’s online here.
