NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending November 17, 2013. 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 four divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Andrew Scofield, forward, Peoria Mustangs
The Peoria Mustangs winning streak reached a season-high nine games in the row thanks to two more wins this past weekend in St. Louis against the Jr. Blues. Since joining the Mustangs in early October, forward Andrew Scofield, 18, has been a welcome addition and this past weekend was a prime example. The native of Northfield, Minnesota, recorded three goals and was a +2 in the two wins in St. Louis. On Saturday, Scofield (5’11/180) scored a power play and a shorthanded goal, which included the game-winner in a 6-2 win. On Sunday, he scored again in a 3-1 win. For the season, Scofield has 23 points in just 14 games played and is a +19 overall. “Andrew is a very skilled player. We have been working with him on the defensive side and penalty killing to become an all-around player,” said Peoria head coach Steve Ortman. “He has improved in those areas and still manages to be an offensive threat.”
East Division Star of the Week: Kevin Kenny, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Although the NA3HL awards the top performing players in each division every week, this week the East Division award goes to the most courageous player, Pittsburgh forward Kevin Kenny. The 20-year-old veteran from Pittsburgh, now in his second season with the Vengeance, was injured in Saturday night’s game against the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks. The injury was to Kenny’s spinal cord and two surgeries later he is recovering in a local area hospital. Although prognosis in not known at this time, teammates, colleagues, friends and family have quickly rallied around Kevin and the Kenny family. In 63 career NA3HL regular season games, Kenny has 45 points, which includes 16 goals and 29 assists. “On behalf of the Pittsburgh Vengeance family we are truly thankful for the support shown for Kevin by the entire hockey community during these trying times,” said Vengeance head coach Dave Dorsey. “Kevin is a determined young man that is admired greatly amongst his teammates. The Pittsburgh Vengeance team and staff will continue to strive for the same excellence Kevin exhibited both on and off the ice.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dominic Antonelli, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Anders Franke, goaltender, Flint Junior Generals – Joseph Randazzo, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance
South Division Star of the Week: Luke Simon, forward, Sugar Land Imperials
Sugar Land forward Luke Simon, 17, was a one-man offensive show this past weekend as the Imperials won a pair of home games over the University of Texas-San Antonio (games counted in the standings for Sugar Land). For the weekend, Simon (6’0/175) had nine points in the two wins, which included four goals, five assists and a +9 rating. On Friday night, the native of Lafayette, Louisiana had a goal and three assists in an 8-3 win. On Saturday, Simon had a hat-trick and two assists in a 15-2 win. In 11 games with the Imperials this season, Simon has 24 points, which ranks 2nd on the team in scoring. “I have always thought Luke has had some great offensive talent. But recently, he has been moved to center so the responsibility has increased in the defensive zone and to win face-offs,” said Imperials head coach Jarod Palmer. “We are happy to see him have success. He knows that in order to get to the next level, his biggest and best stat is going to have to be his plus/minus.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Eligah Bordak, forward, Sugar Land Imperials – Greg Ostapchuk, forward, Topeka Capitals
West Division Star of the Week: Mitchell Gwost, defenseman, Granite City Lumberjacks
It was a big week for the NA3HL’s top scoring defenseman, Mitchell Gwost from Granite City. The 19-year-old native of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, helped the Lumberjacks to three more wins during the week. In those three wins, Gwost (5’10/185) registered five points (1 goal, 4 assists) and was an outstanding +6 in the three games. On Monday, Gwost had a goal in a 7-1 win over the Minnesota Flying Aces. On Friday, Gwost had two assists, including on the game-winning goal and was +3 in a 7-2 win over Minnesota. On Saturday night, Gwost had two more assists, including again on the game-winning goal in a 6-1 win over the Breezy Point North Stars. “Mitchell has been that solid, veteran defenseman that is so important to a team’s success,” said Granite City head coach Brad Willner. “He does a great job of paying attention to detail at both ends of the ice and not only does it show in his plus/minus, but it is also reflected in the amount of offense he can create for he and his teammates.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jackson Germaine, goaltender, Twin City Steel – Ron Lindgren, defenseman, North Iowa Bulls – Tim Santopoalo, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Aidan Verbeke, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
