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 January 31, 2016. 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 six divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Taylor Trapp, forward, La Crosse Freeze
The La Crosse Freeze picked up a weekend home sweep of the Minnesota Flying Aces and forward Taylor Trapp, 20, was a point producer in the weekend series. In the two wins, the native of West Salem, WI, had seven points and was a +6. On Friday, Trapp had two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist in a 4-0 shutout win. The next night, Trapp (6’0/180) had a hat-trick and an assist in a 7-6 win. For the season, the 2015 and 2016 NA3HL Top Prospects selection has 21 points in 18 games played with the Freeze. “Taylor has taken his game to another level this year. This past weekend was an example of what Taylor is capable of each night. I look forward to seeing what he can accomplish in the remaining regular season games and playoffs,” said La Crosse head coach Ryan Egan.
2nd Star: Dan Toycen, F, La Crosse Freeze
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Connor Bump, D, North Iowa Bulls - Thomas Hanson, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Peter Henderson, F, Wisconsin Whalers – David Johnson, G, North Iowa Bulls
East Division Star of the Week: Mathias Tellstrom, forward, Metro Jets
The Metro Jets moved closer to the East Division title with a big weekend sweep on the road against the Southern Tier Xpress, in addition to their road win in West Michigan earlier in the week. Forward Mathias Tellstrom, 19, kept his hot play going with a huge week as the forward from Linkoping, Sweden, had nine points and was +10 in the three wins. On Wednesday, Tellstrom (6’2/196) had a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win in West Michigan. On Saturday, had had another goal and an assist in a 6-1 win at Southern Tier. On Sunday, he had two goals, including the game-winner, and added three assists in a 11-0 win. In 32 games with the Jets this season, Tellstrom has 56 points. “Mathias has really come a long way these past couple months. His work ethic coupled with his skillset has helped him be a consistent threat on the ice. His line has really clicked the past month and you are starting to see the true damage the three of them can create night in night out,” said Metro head coach Justin Quenneville.
2nd Star: Kevin Shand, F, Metro Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Gavin Cummings, D, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Ricky Kwapich, F, Toledo Cherokee – Elijah Williams, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Tyler Zalecki, F, Toledo Cherokee
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Reed Kelly, forward, Yellowstone Quake
It was quite the week for Reed Kelly and the surging Yellowstone Quake. Winners of their last five straight, the Quake posted three more wins last week, which included a weekend sweep in Helena and a home win over Gillette. Kelly, 18, had nine points and was a +5 in the three wins. On Thursday, the native of New Richmond, WI, had a hat-trick in a 6-3 win over Helena. On Friday, Kelly (5’7/175) had a goal and two assists in a 5-3 win over Helena. On Saturday, he posted three assists in a 5-3 home win against Gillette. For the season, Kelly has recorded 31 points in just 21 games played with the Quake since his trade form La Crosse. “Reed has been a great addition to the Yellowstone quake since joining us in the middle of November. His attitude and effort coming in late has been great throughout. He has the ability to control the game and he can be a threat all the time on the ice, a real fun player to watch,” said Yellowstone head coach Ryan Theros.
2nd Star: Chris Nicolai, F, Billings Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ricards Bernhards, F, Great Falls Americans – Zach Heiser, D, Billings Bulls – Stephen Marshal Frank, G, Bozeman Icedogs – Steven Nisbet, F, Bozeman Icedogs
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Hunter Schneider, forward, Cincinnati Thunder
Although he played in just one game over the weekend, Cincinnati Thunder forward Hunter Schneider made it count. The 20-year-old native of Willmar, MN, made his return to the NA3HL a good one as he recorded two goals and added an assist in a 5-2 win over Evansville on Saturday night. Schneider (5’10/170) also was a +1 in the game. He had spent 32 games this season playing for Springfield in the NAHL, where he recorded 15 points. “Hunter had a great return to us this weekend after playing and getting a great experience in the NAHL. He immediately stepped in and helped kick start our offense that has been inconsistent recently. He also brings experience and a veteran leadership that helped our young roster settle down a bit and play with more confidence,” said Cincinnati head coach Ryan Colville.
2nd Star: Michael Redmon, F, Nashville Jr. Predators
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Max Dorfman, F, Nashville Jr. Predators – Dane Federighi, D, Peoria Mustangs – Jason Hoehn, F, Peoria Mustangs – Albert Janele, F, Cincinnati Thunder
South Division Star of the Week: Cooper Seedott, goaltender, Point Mallard Ducks
It was literally a perfect weekend for the Point Mallard Ducks and goaltender Cooper Seedott. The 19-year-old native of Northville, MI, started both games against the Atlanta Capitals and shutout the Capitals both nights, stopping 75 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Seedott (6’1/175) stopped all 29 shots that came his way in a 3-0 shutout of the Caps. The next night, Seedott was even better, making 46 saves in another 3-0 win. It was his 2nd and 3rd shutouts of the year. Seedot has allowed just two goals in his last four appearances this season. “Cooper was outstanding both games. He is playing with a great deal of confidence right now. His teammates are feeding off of his energy and composure. He has a great work ethic and team first attitude. He is one of the leaders of this team,” said Ducks head coach Tom Winkler.
2nd Star: Frank Muscarella, D, Sugar Land Imperials
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Justin Clark, F, Point Mallard Ducks – Alex Norwinski, F, Sugar Land Imperials
West Division Star of the Week: Mac Berglove, goaltender, Granite City Lumberjacks
The Granite City Lumberjacks made history in their series with the North Iowa Bulls. Although they earned a weekend home split with their old rivals, Granite City shutout the Bulls on Friday night, 1-0 in overtime, making the first time the Bulls had been shutout in their NA3HL history. In goal for both games was Elk River, MN native Mac Berglove, 19. Berglove, who was selected to play in the 2016 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament for the West team, stopped all 32 shots that came his way on Friday in the overtime shutout of the Bulls. The next night, Berglove (6’0/200) made 24 saves and allowed just two goals in a 3-0 loss (empty net). For the weekend, he stopped 56 of 58 shots. “Mac has been playing great lately and is a big reason for our success. He has really improved since the beginning of the year and is peaking at the right time,” said Granite City head coach Brad Willner.
2nd Star: AJ Gullickson, F, Alexandria Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Frischmon, F, Alexandria Blizzard – Andrej Jamnicky, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Luc Kreuser, F, Twin City Steel – Yannick Zehnder, F, Twin City Steel
