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 26, 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: Charles Bill, forward, Rochester Ice Hawks
Minnesota native Charles Bill put up five points this past weekend, which included three goals, two assists and a +3 performance. On Friday, the 20-year-old contributed to 3 of the 4 goals scored. “Charles, had a great weekend providing offensive support to the team for the weekend. Helping secure the sweep on the weekend,” said Head Coach Eric Hofmann.
2nd Star: Drew Scites, goaltender, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Bump, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Colby DeCarlo, forward, Rochester Ice Hawks
Coastal Division Star of the Week: no nominations were submitted
East Division Star of the Week: Joel De Simone, goaltender, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Switzerland native Joel De Simone had a combined weekend SV% of .969, including a shutout win on Saturday. This 18-year-old goaltender finished the weekend with two wins and an overall total of 41 saves. “He continues to rise to the occasion when called upon,” said General Manager David Dorsey.
2nd Star: Robby Flannery, defenseman, Metro Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Austin Martz, forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Jason Recchia, defenseman, Metro Jets – Tristin Snyder, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Alex Syring, forward, Toledo Cherokee
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Payton McSharry, forward, Great Falls Americans
Payton McSharry, 18-year-old, from Anchorage, Alaska had a total of five points over a two game series this weekend, including three goals (one on the power play) and two assists. Payton also had a +6 performance on Friday. “Payton was shooting the puck nonstop this weekend. He's got a good shot and we're constantly challenging him to use it more in games. It was good to see him score a few this weekend,” said Assistant Coach Erik Gatson.
2nd Star: Chad Stucker, defenseman, Billings Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Battaglia, goaltender, Helena Bighorns – Valary Dietz, defenseman, Helena Bighorns – Brendan Jester, forward, Americans
Midwest Division Star of the Week: no nominations were submitted.
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Nicholas Grupp, defenseman, Lockport Express
18-year-old Nicholas Grupp of Lancaster, NY ended the weekend with five points, which included a goal and four assists. Grupp had a +11 performance through the weekend. “Nick has grown into a top pairing defenseman and it is really starting to show in his stats. He was a horse on the back end for us,” said General Manager and Head Coach Frank Vecchio.
2nd Star: Nate Walker, forward, Syracuse Stampede
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Steven Kozikoski, goaltender, Syracuse Stampede – Andrew Logar, forward, Lockport Express – Adam Partridge, goaltender, Lockport Express
South Division Star of the Week: Hunter Bersani, forward, Texas Jr. Brahmas
Putting up a total of six points, including two goals (one on the power play) and four assists, Hunter Bersani earned the South Division Star of the Week title. The 18-year-old from Allen, Texas had a +7 performance through the weekend. “Bersani was named Captain prior to game and led by example,” said Head Coach Michael Hill.
2nd Star: Boomer Miller, forward, Atlanta Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dakota Davis, forward, Texas Jr. Brahmas – Nick Sleeper, defenseman, Atlanta Capitals – Samuel Solomon, goaltender, Texas Jr. Brahmas
West Division Star of the Week: Jack Cernohous, defenseman, Alexandria Blizzard
21-year-old Jack Cernohous from Hudson, Wisconsin helped the Blizzard grab five points over the past weekend, which included two goals and three assists from the blue line. Cernohous had a +4, +2 and +3 performance over the span of 3 games. “It was a huge week for the Blizzard with playoffs seeding implications. After missing a few games due to injury, Jack has come back very strong both offensivley and defensively. We have struggled to create offense from the blue line the last couple of weeks and Jacks return to the lineup sparked a more offensive effort from our defensemen as well as leading our defensive efforts this past weekend,” said Head Coach Jeff Crouse.
2nd Star: Dawson Ellingworth, forward, Alexandria Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Braden Altena, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Chase DiBrari, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
