NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending September 29, 2019. The divisional stars of the week are awards given each week of the regular season to the top-performing players in each of the six divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Peyton Hart, F, Rochester Grizzlies
The Grizzlies look poised to challenge St. Louis for Central Division bragging rights this season after a taking a pair of wins against Milwaukee last week, during which Hart nabbed back-to-back three-point performances. Friday featured a balanced effort from Hart, as the forward bagged a goal and two helpers in a 6-1 win. On Saturday, Hart turned playmaker with three assists — including setting up the game-winner — to guide the Grizzlies to a 5-2 victory. Hart’s 11 points are second among Rochester skaters.
2nd Star: Jacob Wiethaupt, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Michael Deeba, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Matt DeRosa, F, Rochester Grizzlies — Zachary Eddington, D, Peoria Mustangs — Austin Keil, Peoria Mustangs
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Jon Natale, F, New England Stars
Natale was instrumental in the Stars’ two wins last week, bagging five total points including a game-winning goal on Friday and Saturday. He helped New England start hot on Friday, potting the first two goals of the game before setting up a late insurance marker in the third period. On Saturday, Natale tallied the lone second-period goal, which went on to stand as the game-winner in a 6-2 affair. Natale’s 5g-5a—10pts are second among Stars’ skaters.
2nd Star: Stephen Gerbis, F, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Derek Flynn, D, New England Stars — Justin Simmons, G, Northeast Generals
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Cayce Balk, F, Missoula Jr. Bruins
Balk has come out hot in 2019, and only got better last week. He kicked off his week with a hat-trick and game-winning goal on Friday — a 6-1 win over Helena — and followed that up with another two goals and two assists on Saturday en route to a wild 7-4 victory over the Cobras. Balk’s five goals and seven points topped all Frontier players last week, and tied for the most among all NA3HL skaters.
2nd Star: Bryson Fletcher, F, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Michael Allman, G, Yellowstone Quake — Alexander Bailey, F, Helena Bighorns — Brody Boyce, F, Great Falls Americans — Tyler Kaminski, F, Gillette Wild — Abraham Laggis, F, Helena Bighorns — Duncan McGarrah, F, Bozeman Icedogs — Shane Phillips, G, Gillette Wild — Dylan Rumpke, F, Yellowstone Quake
Northeast Division Star of the Week: James Clarke, F, Skylands Kings
The Kings had a tough go against the high-flying Nordiques last week, but Clarke put together a solid performance on Saturday to stand out among this week’s nominees. As Skylands battled to stay in an eventual 6-3 loss to L/A, Clarke led the charge, scoring twice and assisting another, effectively driving the Kings’ entire offensive effort. His 4g-4a—8pts in five games are tops among his teammates this season.
2nd Star: Joseph Arnold, F, Skylands Kings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
South Division Star of the Week: RJ Muckensturm, F, Mid Cities Jr. Stars
Tying Cayce Balk for the highest point total last week, Muckensturm built off of what has been a strong start to his season with a whopping 4g-3a—7pts week that saw him net back-to-back two-goal games, including the clinching tally in both contests. Matching his double from Saturday, Muckensturm assisted three other goals for a stellar five-point effort on Sunday to cement his star status. Muckensturm has potted two or more points in three straight games, and four of five this season.
2nd Star: Blake Siewertsen, F, Louisiana Drillers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Allegrini, D, Atlanta Capitals — Ben Cope, D, Louisiana Drillers — Brenden Fehlig, F, Texas Roadrunners — Hunter Leonhard, F, Mid Cities Jr. Stars — Jaeger Reed, G, Texas Roadrunners — Leevi Selanne, F, Texas Brahmas — Andrue Trelstad, F, Texas Brahmas
West Division Star of the Week: Jordan Linder, F, Breezy Point North Stars
Linder and the North Stars took the ice just once last week, but his impact was heavily felt in a tough 4-3 OT loss to New Ulm. Linder factored in on all three Breezy Point goals, scoring two and assisting another for his first multi-point game of the season. Prior to Saturday’s contest, Linder had posted just two points in five games, but managed to hit the scoresheet in back-to-back games for the first time this season with his outburst against New Ulm.
2nd Star: Jake Santarelli, F, Willmar Warhawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Stanislav Danaev, F, New Ulm Steel — Conan Hayton, G, Breezy Point North Stars — Jonah Jangula, F, Granite City Lumberjacks — Dysen Skinner, G, North Iowa Bulls — Bailey Sommers, Granite City Lumberjacks
