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 October 12, 2014. 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: Hunter Vorva, goalie, West Michigan Wolves
It would be tough to duplicate the weekend that West Michigan goalie Hunter Vorva, 18, had as the native of Kalamazoo, MI was perfect in two games helping the Wolves to a weekend home sweep of the Wisconsin Whalers. Vorva (5’10/150) started and won both weekend games and had shutouts in both. Vorva stopped all 62 shots he saw during the weekend, which included 33 saves in a Friday night 2-0 win and 29 saves in a 4-0 win on Saturday. Vorva ranks 4th in the NA3HL with a 95.1% save percentage. “Hunter had a tremendous weekend. He works extremely hard and puts in the extra time at practice to work on his game. He continues to get better and makes the saves he is supposed to,” said West Michigan head coach Marc Fakler.
2nd Star: Andrew Wagner, G, La Crosse Freeze
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dan Addie, D, Wisconsin Whalers – Alex Anderson, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Levi Armstrong, F, Peoria Mustangs - Cameron Brown, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Marc Hayton, G, Peoria Mustangs – Brian Schumacher, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Taylor Trapp, F, La Crosse Freeze – Dakota Ulmer, F, West Michigan Warriors
East Division Star of the Week: Cody Estrel, forward, Toledo Cherokee
The Toledo Cherokee held onto their lead in the East Division thanks to a weekend home sweep of the Cincinnati Swords. Leading the way was 18-year-old forward Cody Estrel. The native of Sylvania, Ohio had five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in the two wins and was also a +4. On Friday, Estrel (5’11/180) had a goal and two assists in a 5-2 win. On Saturday, Estrel had two more assists in a 5-1 win. Estrel is tied for the team scoring lead with 13 points in 11 games played. “Cody and his line mates were dominant this weekend. When Cody is going he can take over a game and that’s what he did this weekend,” said Toledo head coach Kenny Miller.
2nd Star: Tyler Speis, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Desrosiers, F, Southern Tier Xpress – Mark McGee, F, Toledo Cherokee – Jacob Stack, G, Pittsburgh Vegeance
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Robert Kalata, forward, Great Falls Americans
Another weekend and another pair of wins for the still unbeaten Great Falls Americans. This past weekend it was two home victories over the Yellowstone Quake. 19-year-old forward Robert Kalata was one of the leaders this weekend with five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the two games. The native Park Ridge, Illinois, started with weekend with two assists in a 12-1 win on Friday. On Saturday, the 6’0/175 lbs forward had two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win. Kalata is 2nd on the roster in scoring with 10 points in seven games played. “Robert had some timely goals and he has had a nose for the net all year. He broke loose this weekend and kept with it. I am excited he contributed and hopefully it continues,” said Americans head coach Jeff Heimel.
2nd Star: Bryce Mitzel, F, Gillette Wild
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jack Cleaver, D, Gillette Wild – Nolan Flager, G, Glacier Nationals - Jake Nicks, D, Bozeman Icedogs – Devin Panzeca, F, Great Falls Americans
South Division Star of the Week: Travis Hall, defense, Dallas Jr. Stars
The Dallas Jr. Stars put themselves back above .500 in the South Division with two wins in three games over the weekend in a weekend series in Sugar Land against the Imperials. Newly acquired defenseman and Keller, Texas native Travis Hall, 19, had a big impact from the blueline as the 6’1/175 lbs. defenseman totaled seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in the three games. On Friday, Hall assisted on two goals in a 6-4 loss. On Saturday, Hall had an assist in a 5-0 win. On Sunday, Hall saved his best game of the weekend for last as he had two goals and two assists in a 6-2 win. In five games with the Jr. Stars this season, Hall has eight points. “Travis adds the necessary depth and scoring on defense that will hopefully make us more successful as a team. His experience playing at the junior level in valuable in this league,” said Dallas head coach Jason Deitsch.
2nd Star: Grant Dukus, F, Point Mallard Ducks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kayne Fedor, F, Dallas Jr. Stars – Cooper Seedott, G, Point Mallard Ducks
West Division Star of the Week: David Becker, forward, Twin City Steel
It was a big weekend for the Twin City Steel and forward David Becker. The 20-year-old native on Anoka, Minnesota, helped the Steel to three wins, including a home win on Friday of previously undefeated Granite City followed by a two-game road sweep of Topeka. Becker (5’10/180) had seven points in the three games including four goals and three assists. On Friday, Becker had two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over Granite City. On Saturday, he had a goal and an assist in an 8-1 win in Topeka and on Sunday he again had a goal and assist in a 6-3 win. His 15 points ranks 2nd on the Steel roster. “David is a hard working leader that has a knack for the net. His success this season is a tribute to how hard he works both on and off the ice. Not only does he push himself, but you can see the guys that he plays with games are elevated each time he is on the ice,” said Twin City General Manager Bryant Black.
2nd Star: Miko Aho, F, Twin City Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tony Arias, F, Alexandria Blizzard – Jordan Carey, F, Breezy Point North Stars – Joe Costello, F, Breezy Point North Stars – Brett Gravelle, F, North Iowa Bulls – David Horsmann, D, Granite City Lumberjacks – David Johnson, G, North Iowa Bulls – Nate Mettenburg, F, Alexandria Blizzard – Kendall Meyer, G, Granite City Lumberjacks
