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 14, 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: Carmen Dalesandro, forward, North Iowa Bulls
Veteran Bulls forward Carmen Dalesandro, 20, helped his team to two more wins this past week as the Bulls closed in on the Central Division title. The native of Cannonsburg, PA played well in road wins over La Crosse. Dalesandro (5’7/155) did all of his damage in an 11-0 win over Rochester on Saturday night. Dalesandro had a hat-trick and also recorded three assists and was a +4 in the win. For the season, the NAPHL alum has 35 points in 32 games played with the Bulls this season. “Carmen is a player who has the ability to make plays and also is a physical presence for our team. He is a player we will need to be on top of his game for success during the remainder of the regular season and during the stretch run and during the playoffs,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden.
2nd Star: Joe Burgmeier, F, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matt Carr, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Taylor Dickert, F, Wisconsin Whalers
East Division Star of the Week: Joe Morgan, goaltender, Wooster Oilers
With a weekend home-and-home sweep of the Southern Tier Xpress, the Wooster Oilers remained in the 4th and final playoff spot in the East Division. Goaltender Joe Morgan, 19, was solid in goal for the Oilers, as the native of Highlands Ranch, CO, stopped 61 of a possible 64 shots in the two weekend wins. On Thursday, Morgan (6’0/180) made 45 saves in a 2-1 win over Southern Tier. The next night Morgan made 16 saves in a 4-2 win. In 24 appearances with the Oilers this season, Morgan has a 13-8-3 record. He ranks 6th in the NA3HL in saves. “Joe came to us early in the season from Odessa and he has been working towards getting back to the NAHL. His drive and motivation has been great to have around the team as it has helped him to be a good leader on and off the ice. When he is on his game it is tough to get the puck past him. We are glad to have him here in Wooster,” said Wooster head coach Valetino Hernandez.
2nd Star: Brian Dee, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Drinkard, F, Metro Jets – Cam Schwartz, F, Metro Jets – Brad Sneed, D, Wooster Oilers – James Unger, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Tyler Garcia, forward, Great Falls Americans
With two road wins over the weekend, the Great Falls Americans kept pace with Yellowstone for the top spot in the Frontier Division. Newly acquired forward Tyler Garcia, 21, had a good weekend as the native of Anchorage, AK, had three points and was a +4 in two wins over Billings and Helena. On Friday, Garcia (6’0/205) scored twice in a 6-1 win in Billings. On Saturday, he had an assist in a 2-1 win at Helena. For the season, Garcia has 13 points in 16 games played with the Americans. “Tyler has been a great addition for our team. He brings a physical presence to the line-up and he is also a very hard worker. He has been an impact player for us since his arrival and we hope that this continues and adds to the momentum he has built this season,” said Americans head coach Jeff Heimel.
2nd Star: Zach Heiser, D, Billings Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Tyler Geloneck, goaltender, Cincinnati Thunder
Cincinnati Thunder goalie Tyler Geloneck helped his club to a weekend home sweep of the Pittsburgh Vengeance. The 18-year-old native of Bellbrook, OH, started and won both games during the weekend as he faced a total of 54 shots and made 50 saves. On Saturday, Geloneck (5’11/160) made 24 saves in a 4-3 shootout win, in which he stopped both shooters in the extra frame to secure the win. On Sunday, he made 26 saves in a 4-1 win. Geloneck has played in 20 games this season, 10 of them with Cincinnati and 10 with the Southern Tier Xpress. “Tyler had a great weekend. He gave us a solid presence in net and he gives the guys in front of him a lot of confidence. He has a ton of ability and is beginning to gain the confidence needed to bring his top game on a consistent basis,” said Thunder head coach Ryan Colville.
2nd Star: Cameron McAtee, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Justin Bioni, D, Cincinnati Thunder – Kyler Chartier, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Dave Federighi, D, Peoria Mustangs – Jason Hoehn, F, Peoria Mustangs
South Division Star of the Week: No Nominations
West Division Star of the Week: Luc Kreuser, forward, Twin City Steel
Twin City forward Luc Kreuser, 18, was exceptional and a one-man wrecking crew in the Steel’s home-and-home sweep of the Alexandria Blizzard last weekend. The native of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, had six points and was a +4 in the two wins. On Friday night, Kreuser (6’0/185) had two goals and two assists in a 4-3 win at home over the Blizzard. The next night, Kreuser (6’0/165) had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win. For the season, Kreuser is 2nd on the team in scoring with 43 points in 37 games played. He played in the 2016 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament for the 18U Selects Red team, where he scored three goals in three games. “Luc has really been reaping the rewards of his hard work the second half of the season. His speed, skill and vision for the game has really come full circle this season with the Steel,” said Twin City head coach Jay Witta.
2nd Star: Yannick Zehnder, F, Twin City Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tommy Hall, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Tyler Mros, D, Granite City Lumberjacks
