NA3HL announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending November 14, 2021. 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 five divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Layten Liffrig, Forward, Rochester Grizzlies
In his first two games of the season with the Grizzlies, forward Layten Liffrig, 18, made a huge impact, recording seven points in two wins over the St. Louis Jr. Blues. On Friday, the 6’1/185 lbs. native of Mankato, MN had the game-winning goal and three assists in a 9-1 win. On Saturday he had another goal and two assists in a 5-1 win. Liffrig, who began the season in the NAHL with the Minnesota Magicians, was also +7 in the two wins.
2nd Star: Sam VanderHoeven, F, Oregon Tradesmen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Derek Cagle, D, Wausau Cyclones – Tyler Ownby, F, Rochester Grizzlies – Nahuel Veyan, G, Peoria Mustangs – Gage Vierzba, F, Wausau Cyclones – Jared Wisely, F, Peoria Mustangs
East Division Star of the Week: Landon Boothe, Forward, Bay State Bobcats
Bay State forward Landon Boothe, 19, helped his team to two wins this past week. The 6’1/185 lbs. native of Silex, MO, and NAPHL grad had five points in two games. On Wednesday, Boothe scored the overtime-winning goal in a 2-1 win over the Norwich Sea Captains. Two days later, he had a goal and three assists in a 6-2 win over Norwich. For the season, Boothre currently leads the Bobcats in scoring with 15 points in 17 games played.
2nd Star: Ryo Murakami, G, Long Beach Sharks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Elijah Devereaux, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Ben Di Fiore, G, Bay State Bobcats – Payton Felix, F, Northeast Generals – Nikita Kovalev, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Erik Gibboney, Forward, Helena Bighorns
Helena Bighorns forward Erik Gibboney, 20, continued his strong season as he helped his club stay undefeated with road wins over Butte and Great Falls. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Salt Lake City, UT, had six points in the two wins. On Saturday, the NAPHL grad had two goals and two assists in an 8-2 win over Butte. On Sunday, he had two assists in a 4-2 win in Great Falls. For the season, Gibboney is currently third in team scoring with 34 points in 17 games played.
2nd Star: Grayden Pond, F, Bozeman Icedogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Daniel Crutcher, F, Great Falls Americans – Thomas Dalsin, D, Great Falls Americans – Sam Feamster, F, Helena Bighorns
South Division Star of the Week: Peyton Brendel, Goaltender, El Paso Rhinos
El Paso goalie Peyton Brendel, 18, helped his team move into 3rd place in the South with a three-game home sweep of the Louisiana Drillers. The 6’8/225 lbs. native of Flagstaff, AZ started and won all three games in the series for the Rhinos, stopped 117 of a possible 120 shots. On Friday, Brendel made 39 saves in a 6-1 win. On Saturday, he stopped all 48 shots that came his way in a 6-0 shutout. On Sunday, he made 30 saves in a 5-2 win.
2nd Star: Michael Imala, F, Texas Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dolan Gilbert, G, Texas Brahmas – Jack Herron, F, Texas RoadRunners – Tim Marsico, F, Texas RoadRunners – Thomas Mougin, F, Louisiana Drillers – Tyler Walker, D, Louisiana Drillers
West Division Star of the Week: Matthew Smith, Goaltender, Granite City Lumberjacks
Granite City goalie Matthew Smith, 19, continued his torrid start to the season with two more wins this past weekend as the Lumberjacks swept a home-and-home series from Willmar. The 5’11/165 lbs. native of Fenton, MO, stopped 50 of a possible 52 shots in the two wins. On Friday, the NAPHL grad made 30 saves in a 6-2 road win in Willmar. On Saturday, he stopped all 20 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season in a 4-0 win. Smith has a perfect 6-0 record to date in goal for the Lumberjacks and leads the NA3HL with a 1.17 goals against average.
2nd Star: Carter Newpower, F, Mason City Toros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Owen Carlson, G, Mason City Toros – Wilson Dahlheimer, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Joe Gronholz, F, Alexandria Blizzard
