NA3HL announces monthly player awards for February

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of February.  The Combat Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month is Scott Cuthrell from the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks.  The Combat Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month is Kyle Gonzalez from the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks.  The Brian’s Custom Sports NA3HL Goaltender of the Month is Clint Steinmeyer from the St. Louis Jr. Blues.  Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NA3HL monthly awards.

Combat Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month: Scott Cuthrell, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks

Another remarkable run from the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks has resulted in the NA3HL East Division title and the emergence of 19-year-old forward Scott Cuthrell.  The native of Waterford, Michigan, capped of the month of February by putting up some numbers and statistics rarely achieved in the NA3HL.  In just 10 games played, Cuthrell (5’9/160) recorded an eye-popping 23 points, which included an incredible 16 goals as Cleveland put together an 8-2 record during the month.  Cuthrell also recorded three game-winning goals and was a +12 during the month.  It all led to Cuthrell putting himself at the top of the NA3HL scoring race, where he remains tied with 82 points with one weekend to go in the regular seasion.  It has also led to a 21-game scoring streak, which began back in mid-December.  Cuthrell has 41 goals and will likely take home the NA3HL goal scoring title, as the next closest competitor is seven goals back.  “Scott has been our MVP this season, there is no question about that,” said Cleveland head coach Bob Jacobson.  “He plays with a lot of confidence and believes in himself and that he is going to go out there and try and be the best.  There was a time that our captain was out of the line-up and he really stepped his game up and took his game to a new level during that time.”

Runner-Up: Garrett Skinner, Alexandria Blizzard

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Brusa, Queen City Steam – Easton Halbert, Quad City Jr. Flames – Zach Hill, Flint Jr. Generals – Brycon Johnson, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Cory Kettler, Peoria Mustangs – Patrick Sivets, North Iowa Bulls – Guy Soulliere, Michigan Mountain Cats – Matt Stirling, Metro Jets – Aaron Storch, Granite City Lumberjacks.

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 – January 2013, Eric Behrend, North Iowa Bulls.

Combat Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month: Kyle Gonzalez, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks

Sometimes a change is a good thing and that can be said for Cleveland defenseman Kyle Gonzalez, 18.  After playing the first half of the season in North Iowa for the Bulls, the Chino Hills, California native was traded to Cleveland and it all came together for him in February.  Gonzalez (6’0/175) picked up 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists) in 10 games during the month, and most impressively, he was a +16 in February.  His lone goal of the month was the game-winner in a 7-3 win over Three Rivers on February 2^nd and he registered a point in all but two games during the month.  He also recorded four multi-point games during February, which included two, three-point games.  His +44 rating to date ranks tied for 2^nd among all NA3HL defenseman and tied for 6^th overall in the NA3HL.  “We needed a good, puck-moving defenseman and when he became available and we felt like it was going to be the right fit for our team,” said Jr. Lumberjacks head coach Bob Jacobson.  “He makes us deeper at the defensive position and makes us a better hockey club.  He makes the first breakout pass, has great ice awareness and is a smart defenseman.”

Runner-Up: Connor Langfield, North Iowa Bulls

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tom Evans, Metro Jets – Devin Fracassi, Queen City Steam – Nick Goettel, Flint Jr. Generals – Clayton Janecke, Quad City Jr. Flames – Alex Kopec, Michigan Moutain Cats – Kerry McGlynn, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Nikolas Sakellaropoulos, Peoria Mustangs. 

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 – January 2013, Connor Langfield, North Iowa Bulls.

Brian’s Custom Sports NA3HL Goaltender of the Month: Clint Steinmeyer, St. Louis Jr. Blues

Although it has been a two-goalie system in St. Louis all season long, it must have worked because the Jr. Blues ended up securing the league’s best record by the end of February and will head into the NA3HL playoffs the #1 seed.  One of those backstoppers, 17-year-old Clint Steinmeyer of Granite City, Illinois, was just about perfect in the month of February.  Steinmeyer (6’0/185) played in four games during the month and gave up just three goals on his way to a perfect 4-0 record.  Steinmeyer faced a total of 95 shots during February and saved 92 of them, which was good for a 96.8% save percentage and a goals against average of 0.75.  He gave up just a goal in three of the wins and posted one shutout, a 4-0 win over Three Rivers on February 17^th.  For the season, Steinmeyer ranks 2^nd in the NA3HL with a 1.61 goals against average and also wins with 21.  He ranks tied for 3^rd in save percentage with a 92.9%.  “Clint has played better as the season has gone along, which he shows his improvement as a goalie,” said Jr. Blues head coach JP Beilsten.  “he is very mature for a younger goalie and both he and Mikael (Broliden) have handled rotating all season long with a lot of class.  They make the most of their starts and the team has a lot of confidence no matter who we decide to start.”

Runner-Up: Anders Franke, Flint Jr. Generals

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Riley Corbin, Metro Jets – Spencer Craig, Michigan Mountain Cats – David Heflin, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Jake Leon, Quad City Jr. Flames – Scott Murray, Granite City Lumberjacks – Michael Parda, Peoria Mustangs – Alec Rounds, Queen City Steam.

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 – January 2013, David Heflin, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks.

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.