NA3HL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
Honors this week go to Steve Mordini (North Iowa), Aaron Deady (Cape Cod), Austin Martz (Pittsburgh), Kyler Ayers (Great Falls), Kyle Nikles (Evansville), Oscar Lande (Syracuse), Nick Sleeper (Atlanta), and Fritz Belisle (New Ulm).
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) announced today the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending October 30, 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 eight divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Steve Mordini, defenseman, North Iowa Bulls
Holding down the blue line, and offering an offensive touch, was North Iowa’s Steve Mordini this week. The 18-year-old defenseman stood strong for the Bulls, gathering a goal and 5 assists over the weekend, with a +5 performance. “Steven Mordini, a defenseman from Baraboo, WI provided steady defensive play while chipping in offensively for the Bulls in their weekend home and home sweep of Rochester. Mordini tallied the game winner on the power play in Friday's 4-1 home win. He had 6 points in the series and was +5,” said Head Coach Todd Sanden.
2nd Star: Owen Larson, forward, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Dabrowski, forward, La Crosse Freeze – Elliott Gerth, goaltender, Wisconsin Whalers – Ben Ratner, forward, Wisconsin Whalers – Jacob Thousand, forward, La Crosse Freeze
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Aaron Deady, forward, Cape Cod Islanders
Forward Aaron Deady climbed his way to earn Coastal Star honors this week with two goals and three assists over the weekend. The W. Greenwich, RI native also collected a +2 rating through two games. “Aaron has played his best hockey of the season when it mattered the most. He has lead our team by example both in the offensive and defensive zones,” said Head Coach Jay Punsky.
2nd Star: Phil Garcia, defenseman, Long Beach Sharks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nolan Arbuckle, defenseman, New England Stars – John Krapian, forward, New England Stars
East Division Star of the Week: Austin Martz, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance
With seven points over the weekend, Austin Martz made his presence known in Pittsburgh this weekend. The 19-year-old from Shaler, PA collected two goals (including a game-winning goal), 5 assists, and a +6 rating.“Martz is a big body that plays hard for the team and plays the game the right way,” said Head Coach David Dorsey.
2nd Star: Griffin Sawyer, forward, Metro Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Justin Bloomfield, forward, West Michigan Wolves – Ben Hamilton, defenseman, Toldeo Cherokee – Andrew Kormos, goaltender, Metro Jets – Cam Williams, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Sam Woznicki, goaltender, West Michigan Wolves
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Kyler Ayers, goaltender, Great Falls Americans
Goaltender Kyler Ayers earned his first Star of the Week honor with a shutout performance on Friday night. The Boise, ID native made all 36 saves in 60 minutes of play, earning his second shutout of the season. “Kyler Ayers did a great job for us when he was called upon, he has the mentality where he is always ready to step up,” said Assistant Coach Erik Gatson.
2nd Star: Riley Holwegner, forward, Gillette Wild
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brendan Jester, forward, Great Falls Americans – Derek Scoggins, defenseman, Gillette Wild – Stosh Skorulski, forward, Bozeman Icedogs
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Kyle Nikles, defenseman, Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts
A four-point performance by defenseman Kyle Nikles saw the 20-year-old’s first game-winning goal of the 2016-17 season on Saturday. With two goals (one game-winner), two assists, and +1 performance, the Memphis, MI native now has seven points in eleven games played this year. “Nikles is a leader on and off the ice, and this weekend he stepped up his game and lead the way through the weekend sweep over a great team,” said Head Coach Dylan Clarke
2nd Star: Joe Nolan, defenseman, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Balestra, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues – James Fry, goaltender, Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Oscar Lande, forward, Syracuse Stampede
The Stampede’s Oscar Lande rallied for six points on the road this weekend, picking up a +6 rating and even 2 PIMs. The Stockholm, Sweden native registered his first power play goal of the year on Saturday, included in his four goals and two assists. “Oscar was dominant this weekend, providing the Stampede’s offense against Binghamton and Roc City,” said Head Coach Michael Beavis.
2nd Star: Rio Virgoe, goaltender, Jersey Shore Wildcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Lucas Ethington, defenseman, Binghamton Jr. Senators – Connor Landrigan, forward, Binghamton Jr. Senators – Martin Sten, goaltender, Syracuse Stampede
South Division Star of the Week: Nick Sleeper, defenseman, Atlanta Capitals
Grabbing a season high of three points on Sunday, defenseman Nick Sleeper gave his team a strong one goal, two assists performance. The Midland, MI 18-year-old had a +2 rating, and a power play goal this weekend. “Nick was the best player on the ice. He dominated at both ends of the rink,” said Assistant Coach Jason Smith.
2nd Star: Talon Medure, forward, Atlanta Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tucker Alspaugh, defenseman, Louisiana Drillers – Kevin Lake, goaltender, Louisiana Drillers – Jacob Peterson, defenseman, Texas Jr. Brahmas – Kyle Torgerson, forward, Texas Jr. Brahmas
West Division Star of the Week: Fritz Belisle, forward, New Ulm Steel
For the second week in a row, New Ulm’s Fritz Belisle earned Star of the Week honors for his offensive contributions. The Steel’s forward from Red Wing, MN pushed his point streak to five games by grabbing four goals (one game-winner, and one short-handed), an assist, and, a +3 rating at home this weekend. “The way Fritz is competing right now is incredible and on a different level. He steps up when the team needs him. Fritz produced for this us weekend, scoring an OT game winner and netting a hat trick the following night. Again, the success Fritz has been having on the ice is due to his efforts. He simply just outworks everyone,” said General Manager, Bryant Black.
2nd Star: Magnus Lindhe, goaltender, Breezy Point North Stars
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Cathcart, goaltender, Willmar WarHawks – Will Mix, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Tristyn Sabina, forward, Breezy Point North Stars – Owen Sikich, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
