NA3HL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending December 10, 2017. 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: Josh Arnold, Forward, North Iowa Bulls
Nobody had a better weekend finding the back of the net than North Iowa forward Josh Arnold. The Roseville, Minnesota native scored eight times in a sweep of the Rochester Ice Hawks. Arnold, 20, put up back-to-back four goal performances en route to a nine point weekend. For the season, Arnold has scored 22 goals and 43 points in 24 games this season. “Arnie’s speed creates opportunities for himself and his line mates and is hard for teams to defend,” said North Iowa head coach Todd Sanden.
2nd Star: Jimmy McDermott, F, Wisconsin Whalers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Anthony Fortin, F, Wisconsin Whalers – Brady Lindauer, F, La Crosse Freeze – Alex Timm, F, North Iowa Bulls
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Tyler Rudek, Forward, Northeast Generals
Three games, three different opponents and three wins for the Northeast Generals of the Coastal Division. They’re offensive spark plug was none other than Tyler Rudek. The forward from Woonsocket, Rhode Island put up seven points over those three games for the Generals. His best performance coming on Friday against the Long Beach Sharks. Rudek scored two goals and had two assists in a 6-3 win. He scored two more goals the following day against Cape Cod and capped off his weekend with an assist against first place Lewiston/Auburn.
2nd Star: Eric Vanderhoff, F, Skylands Kings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Noah Bird, G, Cape Cod Islanders – Stephen Finkel, F, Skylands Kings
East Division Star of the Week: Brendan Smith, Forward, Lansing Wolves
Make it back-to-back Star of the Week honors for Lansing forward Brendan Smith. The ’98 from Birch Run, Michigan added another four points to his total this past weekend. His signature performance coming against one of the league’s best teams, the Metro Jets. Smith scored both of his team’s goals in a 2-1 victory. He came back the following day with two assists in another Lansing win, this time over Toledo. Smith leads the Wolves in points with 24 in 23 games.
2nd Star: Spencer Sandberg, F, Toledo Cherokee
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Robby Flannery, D, Metro Jets – Tyler Hawk, G, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Connor Inger, F, Metro Jets – Austin Martz, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance – Zach Perry, F, Toledo Cherokee
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Gavin Cline, Forward, Helena Bighorns
Cline, 20, continued his impressive December as he extended his point streak to four after a pair of multi point games this past weekend. On Friday night, Cline scored a goal and assisted on another in a 5-3 win for the Bighorns over Great Falls. Against Missoula, the following night, Cline scored once again and added two assists as Helena went on to sweep the weekend. The forward from Kalamazoo, Michigan leads the Bighorns in points with 33.
2nd Star: Jack Oberg, F, Gillette Wild
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brooks Mitzel, F, Gillette Wild – Dan Rieger, D, Helena Bighorns
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Mark Capkovic, Defenseman, St. Louis Jr. Blues
In a divisional showdown with their biggest rival, defenseman Mark Capkovic was contributing on the offensive side of the ice as the Oakville, Missouri native notched four assists in his team’s sweep of the Peoria Mustangs. He was also a plus-3 on the blue line during the two games. Capkovic, 18, has had an impressive rookie season with the Jr. Blues. He has six goals and 13 assists to give him 19 points in 22 games.
2nd Star: Blake Bjella, G, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jaden Gardner, G, Peoria Mustangs
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Jeremy Wilber, Forward, Binghamton Jr. Senators
The Binghamton Jr. Senators picked up two more wins this weekend as they swept the Oswego Stampede. Jeremy Wilber was the catalyst for the Binghamton offense as he scored a goal in the team’s 3-1 victory on Friday night. Then on Sunday, Wilber managed to find twine three more times to pick up his second hat trick in as many weekends. The native of Binghamton also added an assist to his three goal effort. Wilber, in his second season with the Jr. Senators, has 33 points in 21 games this year.
2nd Star: Steven Kozikoski, G, Oswego Stampede
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
South Division Star of the Week: Cameron Bickford, Defenseman, Texas Brahmas
Bickford, 19, had a great weekend from the blue line as the Mansfield, Texas native picked up two assists in both of the Brahmas’ games this weekend. Texas saw their 19 game winning streak come to an end despite getting two points from Bickford. They came back on Sunday and got back into the win column thanks to two more assists from Bickford. The Texas defenseman has 27 points in 22 games this season.
2nd Star: Brandon Vukasin, F, Louisiana Drillers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tristan Allen, F, Mid Cities Jr. Stars – Carson Murison, G, Texas Brahmas – Nick Sheridan, F, Mid Cities Jr. Stars
West Division Star of the Week: Zach Martin, Forward, Willmar Warhawks
The Warhawks only had one game this past weekend but Zach Martin certainly made the most of his opportunity. The forward from Overland, Kansas scored a pair of goals and added an assist in Willmar’s 3-0 victory in New Ulm against the Steel. He was also a plus-2. Martin, 20, leads the Warhawks in points this season as he has registered 27 points in 23 games so far during the 2017-18 season.
2nd Star: Jordan Olson, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chase DiBari, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Kaden Erickson, G, Willmar Warhawks
