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 25, 2013. This week’s games include all played at the NA3HL Showcase. 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: Cooper Cothran, goaltender, St. Louis Jr. Blues
With a 3-1 record at the NA3HL Showcase, the St. Louis Jr. Blues continued their recent success. It was helped by the play of 19-year-old goaltender Cooper Cothran. The native of Mansfield, Texas, was in goal for the final two and half games of the Showcase and played very well. Cothran’s (5’11/195) Showcase began in a Jr. Blues loss to Granite City. After the Lumberjacks scored six goals, Cothran came in relief and stopped all 11 shots that came his way. That earned him starts in the next two games and he didn’t disappoint. He made 36 saves in a 3-1 win over Breezy Point and then on the final day, he made 23 saves in a 4-1 win over the Dallas Jr. Stars. For the week, Cothran stopped 70 of 72 shots that came his way and allowed just two goals. “Cooper is a solid goalie and he lets very little bother him,” said Jr. Blues head coach Chris Flaugher. “He gave us an opportunity to comeback and try and win the Granite City game. He plays well when the game is close and on the line and that’s all we can ask.”
East Division Star of the Week: Tyler Zalecki, forward, Toledo Cherokee
Toledo Cherokee leading scorer Tyler Zalecki, 18, is following up his 52-point rookie campaign last season with another solid effort this season and the NA3HL Showcase was no exception. Even though the Cherokee lost three of four games, Zalecki (5’11/185) registered eight points in the four games and continued to lead the team in scoring wit 29 points this season. On Thursday, the native of Toledo, Ohio had both goals in a 4-2 loss to Peoria. On Friday, Zalecki had a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal and two assists in a 9-1 win over Battle Creek. After going pointless in Saturday’s 6-3 loss to Twin City, Zalecki picked up another assist in Sunday’s 10-2 loss to Granite City. “Tyler played well all weekend,” said Toledo head coach Kenny Miller. “He has been our most consistent forward this year he and is playing at a high level right now.”
2nd Star: Mark McGee, forward, Flint Junior Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tom Diffendal, forward Pittsburgh Vengeance – Justin Fisher, forward, Flint Junior Generals – Lukas Friberger, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Stefan Horgas, forward, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Kade Morrison, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Joseph Moza, goaltender, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Max Vance, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats
South Division Star of the Week: Robert Gervino, forward, Dallas Jr. Stars
The Dallas Jr. Stars were very competitive at the NA3HL Showcase, posting a 2-2 record and newcomer Robert Gervino, 20, was a big part of that. The newly acquired forward posted seven points to help the Jr. Stars climb the standings and earn respect from around the league. Gervino (5’11/180) began the event with an assist in a 6-2 loss to red-hot Peoria. The next day, the native of Homer Glenn, Illinois picked up three assists, including on the game-winning goal, in a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Flying Aces. On Sunday, Gervino had a goal and an assist in a 4-0 shutout win over Battle Creek and on Monday, he assisted on the lone Dallas goal in a 4-1 loss to St. Louis. “Robert has a lot of talent and hockey sense and it was a pleasure to see him play on our team for the first time,” said Dallas head coach Jason Dietsch. “He aas real jolt to the offense and the power play.”
2nd Star: Yu Hikosaka, forward, Topeka Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Steffan Muller, goaltender, Dallas Jr. Stars
West Division Star of the Week: Jace Childs, forward, Twin City Steel
Thanks to a 12-point NA3HL Showcase, Twin City forward Jace Childs, 20, not only led his team to another undefeated record at the event, but he also is now tied for the NA3HL goal-scoring and point lead. The Burnsville, Minnesota native had five goals and seven assists in the four games to bring his point total to 45 and his goal total to 21 for the season. Childs (5’7/145) began the event with a goal in a 4-0 win over Cincinnati on Friday. The next day, he had a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win over Toledo. On Sunday, Childs assisted on all four Twin City goals in a 4-3 win over the Metro Jets. On Monday, he saved his best game for last as he recorded a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal, and an assist in a 7-2 win over the Wisconsin Whalers. “Jace is an all-around hockey player that plays all facets of the game,” said Twin City head coach Aaron Koosman. “He is on the first power play unit as well as the first penalty kill unit. He is a dedicated worker with a lot of competition in him and an all around great kid.”
2nd Star: Drew Otto, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
