NA3HL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) announced today the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending February 12, 2017. The divisional stars of the week are 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: Ben Ratner, forward, Wisconsin Whalers
Elk Grove Village, IL native Ben Ratner put up seven points against on Saturday to push Wisconsin to victory. Ratner’s weekend included four goals, three assists and a +6 performance for the Whalers. “Ben played great this weekend,” said Head Coach Tom McDermott.
2nd Star: Marshall Barnes, forward, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Charles Bill, forward, Rochester Ice Hawks – Austin Lewis, forward, Wisconsin Whalers – Bailey Schmitz, goaltender, Rochester Ice Hawks – Brendan Studioso, forward, North Iowa Bulls
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Chuck Costello, forward, Cape Cod Islanders
Cape Cod forward Chuck Costello had five points this past weekend, which included two goals (one short-handed) and three assists fpr the Islanders. The 20-year-old, from Philadelphia, PA, had a +4 performance through the weekend. “Costello was dominant on Saturday. He skated, was all over the score sheet and his leadership was amazing,” said Head Coach Dan Hodge.
2nd Star: Chris O’Donnell, forward, Cape Cod Islanders
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): none
East Division Star of the Week: Jeremy Ross, defenseman, Wooster Oilers
Native of Trent, MI, defenseman Jeremy Ross had three goals this weekend. The 18-year-old’s performance included one short-handed goal and the winning overtime goal against the Southern Tier Express on Saturday. “Jeremy stepped up and commanded the ice. He led us to victory in a tight series all weekend. His hat trick was amazing. We are all very proud of the player he is becoming,” said Assistant General Manager and Head Coach Aaron Hernandez.
2nd Star: Joel De Simone, goaltender, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Stefan Boskovic, defenseman, Metro Jets – Louis Boudon, forward, Metro Jets – Creighton Furber, goaltender, Wooster Oilers
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Kyle Truax, forward, Gillette Wild
20-year-old Kyle Truax, from Las Vegas, NV, had a total of ten points over a three game series this weekend. Truax registered five goals (two short-handed) and five assists. The forward’s +10 performance this weekend helped Gillette earn three big wins. “Kyle had a great weekend for us this past week. Kyle has worked hard this year on and off the ice. His leadership has been great for us on and off the ice and we look forward to that continuing for us into the playoffs,” said Head Coach Brendon Hodge.
2nd Star: Tanner Loucks, goaltender, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kyle Mueller, forward, Gillette Wild
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Ryan Edgar, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Ryan Edgar, of Wentzville, MO, stepped up this weekend for the Jr. Blues. The forward had two goals and three assists in two games this weekend against the Peoria Mustangs. This 18-year-old was a +3 through two games played. “Ryan had an outstanding weekend and helped our club get three of four points in a tough divisional matchup with Peoria. On Sunday, Ryan had a hand in four of the five goals we scored, and did an outstanding job on special teams,” said Head Coach and General Manager Chris Flaugher.
2nd Star: Daniil Ovchinnikov, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): none
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Josh Watterson, forward, Syracuse Stampede
19-year-old, Josh Watterson of Sinking Springs, PA, took a lead role for Syracuse this weekend. The Stampede went to overtime with the Binghamton Junior Senators, with Watterson having a crucial goal in the third period helping take the Stampede into overtime. “Josh played great on the PK and added game tying goal versus one of the best teams in the NA3HLto earn us a point. Josh joins us from the Central Penn Panthers of the NA3AHL for the remainder of the season, and was an instant contributor on both offense and defense,” said General Manager and Head Coach Mike Beavis.
2nd Star: Lindros Beard, forward, Binghamton Junior Senators
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Austin Bandura, forward, Binghamton Junior Senators
South Division Star of the Week: Jake Cox, forward, Point Mallard Ducks
With eight total points, including five goals and three assists through four games this weekend, Point Mallard’s Jake Cox make an impact on the ice. The 19-year-old from Columbus, Georgia had a hattrick on Thursday night, and a +8 performance through the weekend. “Jake led us offensively in a weekend where we needed to win games to clinch a playoff spot. He had the overtime winner against Texas on Friday and scored a short handed winning goal against Euless on Thursday,” said General Manager and Head Coach Tom Winkler.
2nd Star: Michael Klintworth, forward, Atlanta Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sascha Figi, forward, Atlanta Capitals – Gary Glassman, goaltender, Point Mallard Ducks – Bryce Harrison, defenseman, Euless Jr. Stars – Brayden Hutchinson, forward, Louisiana Drillers – Kevin Lake, goaltender, Louisiana Drillers – William Rooney, forward, Euless Jr. Stars
West Division Star of the Week: Brey Effertz, goaltender, Alexandria Blizzard
20-year-old Brey Effertz from Minot, North Dakota, held the Granite City Lumberjacks scoreless this weekend with a shutout win of 1-0. Playing the full sixty minutes, Effertz had a total of 25 saves against the Lumberjacks to earn his seventh shutout this season. “Brey continued his solid play with a great effort on Sunday. He was very poised and focused against the 1st place team,” Head Coach Jeff Crouse.
2nd Star: Fritz Belisle, forward, New Ulm Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Casey Esselman, defenseman, Granite City Lumberjacks – Matej Krasny, forward, Breezy Point North Stars – Bronson Moore, goaltender, Breezy Point North Stars – David Mulligan, goaltender, Granite City Lumberjacks – Nathan Siclovan, goaltender, New Ulm Steel
