NA3HL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
Honors go to Bailey Schmitz (Rochester), Kevin Perry (Coastal), Tyler Groth (Wooster), Colby Birch (Missoula), Kody Kifer (Evansville), Jan Broz (Skylands), Tyler Myers (Texas), and Luc Kreuser (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 January 15, 2017. The divisional stars of the week are awards 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: Bailey Schmitz, goaltender, Rochester Ice Hawks
Earning his first shutout of the season in a three-game weekend performance was Rochester’s goaltender Bailey Schmitz. The 18-year-old from Red Lake Falls, MN stopped 90 shots in 179+ minutes this weekend. “Bailey saw three games in three days against divisional rivals. This weekend, the team earned their first two-win weekend this season, along with their first shut-out this season. Bailey posted a .923, .900, and 1.00 respectively through all three games this weekend; he was hands down a game changer. Bailey gave his team a momentum boost at the right time, and because of his play, the team was able to compete and pick up four points,” said Head Coach Eric Hofmann.
2nd Star: Tyler Bump, forward, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Josh Arnold, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Tyler Briley, forward, La Crosse Freeze – Jake Faulkner, defenseman, Wisconsin Whalers – Will Graves, goaltender, La Crosse Freeze – Brody Richards, forward, Wisconsin Whalers – Skylar Watt, forward, Rochester Ice Hawks
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Kevin Perry, forward, Northeast Generals
Hull, MA native Kevin Perry paved the way with five points for the Generals this weekend. The 19-year-old forward registered a game-winning goal, and shorthanded goal, and a power-play goal in his +2 performance. “Kevin is a great kid with an incredible work ethic. Great things happen to kids that work hard, and Kevin shows that every day,” said General Manager Bryan Erikson
2nd Star: none
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): none
East Division Star of the Week: Tyler Groth, defenseman, Wooster Oilers
For the second time this season, Oilers defenseman Tyler Groth takes home the East Division Star of the Week title. The South Lyon, MI native made his veteran presence known with a four-point performance from the blue line. Groth had two goals, two assists, and completed the weekend as a +4 for Wooster. “Tyler Groth has stepped up for us as the season has progressed. He has really contributed to our team offensively from the blue line,” said Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Aaron Hernandez.
2nd Star: Jake Gwillim, goaltender, Metro Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Vince Casale, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Graham Day, forward, Metro Jets – EJ Gilbert, forward, Toldeo Cherokee – Brock Grandbois, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Evan Tasker, defenseman, Wooster Oilers – Cam Williams, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Colby Birch, forward, Missoula Jr. Bruins
With four goals in Missoula’s weekend sweep on the road, Colby Birch brought his offensive power to push the Bruins to victory. Hailing from Vernal, UT, the 20-year-old forward had the game-winning goal on Saturday, and finished the weekend +2. “Colby had a great weekend in Havre. He created a lot of opportunities for himself and his teammates,” said General Manager and Head Coach Marcus Baxter.
2nd Star: Nick Nast, goaltender, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Battaglia, goaltender, Helena Bighorns – Austin Charnholm, forward, Bozeman Icedogs – Tegan Harrington, forward, Great Falls Americans – Steven Nisbet, forward, Bozeman Icedogs – Ethan Wiese, goaltender, Billings Bulls
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Kody Kifer, forward, Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts
Evansville’s own Kody Kifer rocked the scoresheet for the Jr. Thunderbolts this weekend. The 17-year-old earned two points on Friday, along with four points on Saturday night in a +6 weekend performance. “Kody has grown on our team and he has changed his game for the better. He works hard every day in practice, plays with a lot of energy, and continues to improve his game every week. This weekend he worked very hard, did all the little things right, and he was rewarded for it with a six-point weekend,” said Head Coach Dylan Clarke.
2nd Star: Bradley Begeman, forward, Cincinnati Thunder
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cameron Sangster, forward, Cincinnati Thunder
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Jan Broz, forward, Skylands Kings
An eight-point effort from Skylands’ Jan Broz helped the Kings earn four big points this weekend. The 20-year-old from Milevsko, Czech Republic scored five goals (one game-winner and three on the power play), while adding three assists in his +2 weekend performance. “Jan had a great weekend. He was a very effective player in all three zones and provided us with big points at crucial times,” said Head Coach Patrick Choules.
2nd Star: Conor Landrigan, forward, Binghamton Jr. Senators
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brad Becker, forward, Binghamton Jr. Senators – Craig Garrigan, forward, Skylands Kings – Tim O’Connor, forward, Jersey Shore Wildcats
South Division Star of the Week: Tyler Myers, goaltender, Texas Jr. Brahmas
With two-shutouts this weekend, Texas goaltender Tyler Myers remained solid in net for a Brahmas’ three-win weekend. The Thornton, CO native made 77 stops in 185 minutes in net. “Tyler Myers just keeps doing his thing. He is solid game in and game out. He had two huge shutouts for the Brahmas this weekend,” said Head Coach Michael Hill
2nd Star: Jacob Peterson, defenseman, Texas Jr. Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sascha Figi, forward, Atlanta Capitals – Kenatae Medure, forward, Atlanta Capitals – Santeri Seppinen, goaltender, Louisiana Drillers
West Division Star of the Week: Luc Kreuser, forward, New Ulm Steel
Five was Luc Kreuser’s magic number this weekend, as the New Ulm forward scored five goals in a +5 performance for the Steel. The Wisconsin Rapids, WI native added an assist to contribute six points through two games. “Luc stepped up in a huge way this weekend. He created plays and put us in a position to earn three out of four points. He's a top guy in this league with big things ahead of him,” said General Manager Bryant Black.
2nd Star: Connor Nilson, defenseman, Alexandria Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Fritz Belisle, forward, New Ulm Steel – Ryan Higgins, forward, Breezy Point North Stars – Nick Lucas, forward, Alexandria Blizzard
