NA3HL announces monthly player awards for February 2020

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of February. The Bauer Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month is Brandon Connett of the Alexandria Blizzard. The Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month is Trevor Christopher of the Skylands Kings. The Vaughn NA3HL Goaltender of the Month is Raphael Gaughan of the Northeast Generals. Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NA3HL monthly awards. 

 

Bauer Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month: Brandon Connett, Alexandria Blizzard

Connett went on a tear to start the month of February, logging points in eight straight games en route to a final stat line of 15g-12a—27pts — most in February among all NA3HL skaters. Finding the scoresheet in all but one of his 10 games, Connett eclipsed his previous monthly high by 10 points, easily passing the 17 he posted in October. His most impactful stretch came in the middle of the month, when he logged four straight multi-goal games including back-to-back games with four and five goals, respectively. Connett’s six multi-point games were also a monthly high for him, and helped drive his season totals to 36g-30a—66pts in 42 games at the end of the month. 

Runner-Up: Kolye Bankauskas, Northeast Generals

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): James Clarke, Skylands Kings — Matt DeRosa, Rochester Grizzlies — Marco Escobar, Coulee Region Chill — Gavgn Galloway, Helena Bighorns - Nathan Green, Granite City Lumberjacks — Sean Hofstetter, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Kyle McEnany, Danbury Colonials — Hazen McKay, Bozeman Icedogs — Levi Mese, Great Falls Americans — RJ Muckensturm, Mid Cities Jr. Stars — Seth Payson, Texas RoadRunners — Andrei Rusakov, Atlanta Capitals — Caleb Sanborn, Gillette Wild — Mi-Kwan Tallman, Missoula Jr. Bruins — Lucas Wahlin, North Iowa Bulls — Jared Wisely, Peoria Mustangs

 

Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month: Trevor Christopher, Skylands Kings

With 15 points in nine February games, Christopher paced all Kings skaters in scoring despite his position on the blue line. The defenseman’s five-game point streak from the 14th to the 22nd, which saw him notch 3g-8a—11pts, marked a season-long streak for him. In total, Christopher posted points in eight of his 10 games and multiple points in five of those, and surpassed his previous monthly high of 10 points set back in December. At the end of February, he now boasts 19g-30a—49pts in 42 games. 

Runner-Up: Joey Allegrini, Atlanta Capitals

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Boccardi, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Dylan Dent, Coulee Region Chill — Stephen Guadalajara, Mid Cities Jr Stars — Tal Halliday, Granite City Lumberjacks — Mason Hoffman, Gillette Wild — Connor Lefkof, Danbury Colonials — Cole Lehmann, Alexandria Blizzard — Tami Merilainen, Northeast Generals — Noel Parker, Rochester Grizzlies — Ryan Payne, Peoria Mustangs — Trevor Prince, Missoula Jr. Bruins — Logan Rachow, Great Falls Americans — Harrison Stewart, North Iowa Bulls — Myles Westbrook, Texas RoadRunners

 

Vaughn NA3HL Goaltender of the Month: Raphael Gaughan, Northeast Generals

Gaughan was as good as they get in February, going a perfect 6-0-0 and allowing just six goals in that span. Averaging just over 22 saves per game, Gaughan backstopped the Generals to victories over Maine (2), Elmira (2), Skylands and L/A. Gaughan allowed more than one goal just once, posted a .909 save percentage or better in each February start, and notched a 20-save shutout against Elmira on the 20th. At the end of the month, Gaughan has a .937 save percentage, 1.38 GAA and eight straight wins dating back to Jan. 19. 

Runner-Up: Conan Hayton, Bozeman Icedogs

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Evan Babekuhl, North Iowa Bulls — Seth Daniel, Missoula Jr. Bruins — Jaden Gardner, Peoria Mustangs — Cole Garver, Texas RoadRunners — Bailey Huber, Granite City Lumberjacks — Trever Mellen, Great Falls Americans — Devin Naidow, Coulee Region Chill — Shane O’Brien, Danbury Colonials — Will Oliver, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Ethan Racz, Helena Bighorns - Tyler Robertson, Skylands Kings — Bailey Rosch, Alexandria Blizzard — Igor Samokhvalov, New Ulm Steel — Shane Soderwall, Rochester Grizzlies