NA3HL announces Easton Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton Hockey for the week ending February 1, 2015. 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: Ryan Martin, forward, Wisconsin Whalers
Although he played in just one game this past week, Wisconsin forward Ryan Martin, 20, made it count as he led the division-leading Whalers to a 4-2 road win in Peoria on Wednesday. The native of Rochester, MN, scored the final two goals of the game, including the game-winner as the Whalers crept closer to a playoff spot in the Central Division. He also picked up an assist and was a +2 in the game. For the season, Martin (5’10/170) is 2nd on the team in scoring with 50 points in 29 games played. His 50 points ranks 6th among all NA3HL scorers and his 25 goals ranks 2nd. Martin has been selected to play on the Central Division team at the 2015 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament. “Ryan is playing great for us right and doing everything asked of him and more this season,” said Whalers head coach Tom McDermott.
2nd Star: Andy McGlynn, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Adam Havener, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Chong Lee, F, La Crosse Freeze – Yves Leemann, D, Wisconsin Whalers – Taylor Trapp, F, La Crosse Freeze
East Division Star of the Week: Jacob Drinkard, forward, Metro Jets
Metro forward Jacob Drinkard, 18, helped the Jets clinch a playoff berth in the East Division thanks to a weekend road sweep in Cincinnati against the Swords. The native of Lapeer, MI, had six points in the two wins, which included three goals and three assists along with a +9 rating. On Saturday, he scored a goal and added three assists in a 11-2 win. On Sunday, he had two goals, including the game-winner and a 6-3 win. “Jacob’s line was dominant this past weekend against Cincinnati. They controlled the play a lot because of his play and presence on the ice around the puck. When we had the opportunity to acquire him, I knew we were solidifying our depth chart up front. He brings another element of toughness to our forward core and versatility that every team needs. He’s big, strong, smart, tough and coachable. We are lucky to have him and will need him in playoffs,” said Metro head coach Justin Quenneville.
2nd Star: Jacob Stack, G, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Gavin Cummings, D, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Cody Gibson, G, Southern Tier Xpress – Mark McGee, F, Toledo Cherokee – Luke Sunde, F, Southern Tier Xpress
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Tristan Henrichs, forward, Billings Bulls
The Billings Bulls kept rolling this past weekend with two more wins and forward Tristan Henrichs, 19, played a big part in his team’s success. The native of Billings, MT, totaled five points during the two weekend wins, which included a goal and four assists along with a +4 rating. On Friday, Henrichs (5’10/185) had two assists in a 4-3 shootout win over division-leading Great Falls. On Saturday, Henrichs had a goal and two assists in a 7-1 home win over Yellowstone. For the season, Henrichs leads the Bulls in scoring with 38 points and 20 goals. He has been selected to play in the 2015 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament for the Frontier Division team. “Tristan has been a consistent contributed for us all season long no matter who we put him on the ice with. With our lineup contributing from top to bottom right now he has been an asset that can really break games open for us. He has one of the best shots in the division and is always finding a way to get the puck past goaltenders,” said Billings coach Joe Deptula.
2nd Star: Ryan Lund, G, Glacier Nationals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jonnathan Carpenter, F, Bozeman Icedogs – Alex Feese, G, Gillette Wild – Bryce Jensen, F, Billings Bulls – Bryce Mitzel, F, Gillette Wild – AJ O’Dell, F, Bozeman Icedogs
South Division Star of the Week: Roman Begert, goalie, Point Mallard Ducks
Point Mallard goalie Roman Bengert was tremendous in the Mallards home-and-home series against division-leading Nashville. The 18-year-old goalie from Cole Harbour, NS, allowed just four goals in the two games, as the Mallard had a pair of one-goal losses. On Friday, Bengert (6’2/175) made 31 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss. On Saturday, he allowed just one goal and made 34 saves in a 1-0 loss. Over the course of the weekend, Bengert stopped 65 of 69 shots. In five games with the Mallards this season, Bengert has posted a 1.98 goals against average and a 92.6% save percentage. “In the short time that Roman has been here, he has shined. He has a great attitude, great work ethic and never quits. The Ducks plays with confidence when he is in the net. Roman has the ability to steal games for us. Going into the playoffs he gives us a solid chance to do something special,” said Point Mallard head coach Craig Bushy.
2nd Star: Aaron Torres, F, Dallas Jr. Stars
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Justin Ball, G, Nashville Jr. Predators – Davis Hudson, D, Point Mallard Ducks – Tyler Valentin, F, Dallas Jr. Stars
West Division Star of the Week: Jaxson Gosnell, goalie, Breezy Point North Stars
Two starts and two wins helped Breezy Point goalie Jaxson Gosnell, 20, earn West Star of the Week honors. The native of Phoenix, AZ, allowed just three goals in the two starts during the week and stopped 61 of a combined 64 shots. On Wednesday, Gosnell (6’1/185) posted a shutout of his old team as he made 19 saves in a 6-0 win over the Minnesota Flying Aces. On Friday night, Gosnell made 42 saves in a 4-3 overtime win over the Alexandria Blizzard. It was Gosnell’s first wins since early December. Since joining Breezy Point, Gosnell has posted a 2.95 goals against average and a 92.1% save percentage. “Even though Jaxson is in his last year of playing junior hockey he has done nothing but work hard and stay positive in a rough season. He has made big some big saves, but he has made every save that you need your goalie to make to win games,” said Breezy Point head coach Jeff Worlton.
2nd Star: Tommy Hall, F, Alexandria Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chris Amsden, G, North Iowa Bulls – David Kenney, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Linder Kenyon, D, Breezy Point North Stars – Travis Kothenbeutel, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Jake Mullendore, F, North Iowa Bulls
