NA3HL Announces Monthly Player Awards for January

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its January Player of the Month honors. Alexandria Blizzard forward Caleb Waller was named Forward of the Month, Louisiana Drillers defenseman Dayton Ruppel earned Defenseman of the Month recognition, and Alexandria Blizzard goaltender Jayden Serene rounded out the awards as Goaltender of the Month.

Forward of the Month: Caleb Waller, Alexandria Blizzard

Caleb Waller continues to be a cornerstone of the Alexandria Blizzard, now skating in his third year with the organization. The Otsego, Minnesota native has long been a reliable name on the scoresheet, but in his final year of junior hockey, he’s elevated his game to another level. With plenty of hockey still left to play, Waller has already surpassed his point total from last season, putting together his most productive campaign yet.

January proved to be a statement month for Waller. In 10 games, he was simply on fire, piling up 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) and averaging an impressive 2.6 points per game. His offensive surge included seven multi-point performances, highlighted by not one, but two four-point outings, one against the Toros and another versus the Wilderness.

One of those four-point performances came against Mason City, part of a stretch that saw Waller record multi-goal efforts in four different games during the month. Against the Toros, he did his damage at even strength, scoring twice and adding a pair of assists to cap off a dominant night.

January ended on a high for Waller, who closed the month with consecutive three-point games and Star of the Week honors to cap off a red-hot stretch.

When asked about Caleb’s recent recognition, Head Coach Jeff Crouse had high praise for the captain’s growth and leadership: “Having coached Caleb for three seasons now, it’s been special to watch his development and see his consistency pay off with Player of the Month honors. He’s embraced every challenge, grown into a captain, and set the standard for our group. We’re excited to see him showcase his game at Top Prospects and continue leading our team the rest of the season.”

Runner up: Carter Gnau, Louisiana Drillers

Defenseman of the Month: Dayton Ruppel, Louisiana Drillers

Dayton Ruppel has been the engine on the Louisiana Drillers’ blue line, leading the team in scoring among defensemen while also sitting atop the NA3HL leaderboard for points by any blueliner this season. His ability to drive offense from the back end has separated him as one of the most dangerous defensemen in the league.

That production was on full display again in January, as Ruppel racked up 20 points (4 goals, 16 assists) while averaging 2.5 points per game.

Ruppel’s scoring touch showed up across multiple series, including a sweep of Atlanta in which he found the back of the net in all three games. It marked the second time this season he has scored in every game of a three-game series. Against the Rage, he took his playmaking to another level, piling up 11 assists across games two and three in a dominant offensive showing.

Ruppel’s rise is a clear example of the development path within the NAHL family of leagues. After finishing his youth hockey career in the T1ER League with the Philadelphia Little Flyers, he has continued to elevate his game at the junior level. Nearly a point-per game player as a rookie, Ruppel has elevated his game in his second season, already doubling his year-one point total. That surge hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he earned a call-up to the NAHL’s Odessa Jackalopes for a weekend series.

Ruppel has been a force on and off the ice this season, and Head Coach Chris Franics didn’t hold back in praising his impact: “When Dayton arrived in Louisiana last season, my biggest message to him was that I would never want him to change anything about his game, because he’s a special player. From day one, Dayton has been a go-to guy for us, someone we rely on in the big moments. Over his time here, he’s grown so much as a player on the ice and plays a major role in our team’s success, whether it’s putting up points, defending, or even delivering a few ‘nice’ words to the opposition. I’m thrilled Dayton has earned this award, but both he and our team remain focused on the bigger goals ahead.”

Runner up: Drew Sparacino, West Bend Power

Goaltender of the Month: Jayden Serene, Alexandria Blizzard

Jayden Serene has been having a breakout season, firmly establishing himself as the go-to goaltender for the Alexandria Blizzard in his third year with the organization.

January proved to be a standout month for both Serene and the Blizzard, who continued their climb up the West Division standings with the goalie playing a pivotal role in the team’s defensive surge. Between the pipes, Serene now owns a 19-9-2-1 record, with six of those wins coming in January alone.

The River Falls, Wisconsin native was consistently tested over the month, facing 219 shots and turning aside 207 of them for a .930 save percentage and a 2.12 GAA. His play at key moments kept the Blizzard in control and set the tone for the team’s success.

The month ended on a high note for Serene, who recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time this season. On January 23rd, he stopped all 29 shots against Mason City, setting the stage for an even bigger performance to close out the month. In the final game of January, he made a major statement, turning away 44 shots in a dominant 5-0 win over the Moose, his second-highest shot total of the season and a performance that underscored just how critical he’s been to Alexandria’s success.

When asked about Jayden’s growth this season, Head Coach Jeff Crouse shared: “Jayden has had a fantastic month, building on an already strong season. Throughout his career, he’s consistently shown perseverance and a relentless work ethic, and that dedication is now being rewarded. Being named to the Top Prospects roster speaks volumes about his commitment to the game, and we’re excited to see him keep pushing forward the rest of the season.”

Runner up: Brandon Appleman, Helena Bighorns