NA3HL announces Bauer Hockey 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 October 17, 2021. The divisional stars of the week are awards given each week of the regular season to the top-performing players in each of the five divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Lucas Henderson, G, Rochester Grizzlies
Henderson backstopped a pair of wins over Oregon last week, stopping 56 of 59 total shots in his first two appearances of the season. On Friday, Henderson turned aside 37 of 38 shots for a .974% save percentage, then went back-to-back on Saturday with a 22-save effort in regulation time before blanking all three Tradesmen skaters in a shootout. The 2002-born puck stopper boasts a 1.44 GAA and .949% save percentage, and is 2-0-0 on the young season.
2nd Star: Thomas Kayner, F, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Pavel Bakhtin, F, Wausau Cyclones — Chris Kondiles, F, Peoria Mustangs — Hayden Shoemake, F, Wausau Cyclones — Per Waage, D, Rochester Grizzlies
East Division Star of the Week: Ethan Ranger, F, Norwich Sea Captains
Ranger bagged four points in two games last week to keep his strong start to the year going. Wednesday’s tilt with Danbury saw the Cromwell, Conn., native notch a goal and an assist. He then posted the same stat line on Saturday against Long Beach for his third multi-point performance in his last four games. Ranger has compiled 5g-7a—12pts in eight games this year, and has only been held off the scoresheet twice.
2nd Star: Zach Sinople, F, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Donovan Alfama, G, New Jersey Titans — Teagen Beier, F, Norwich Sea Captains — Kyle Gilbert, D, Long Beach Sharks — Sean Gorman, F, Northeast Generals — Dylan Harbour, F, Long Beach Sharks — Ryan Miller, F, New Jersey Titans
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Tyler Sunagel, F, Great Falls Americans
Sunagel recorded a whopping eight points in Great Falls’ two games last week to triple his season-long output to that point. Friday’s matchup in Sheridan saw the Plymouth, Wisc., native notch a goal and two helpers — his second multi-point outing in three games — while Saturday’s rematch featured Sunagel’s first hat-trick of the year alongside two more assists. Sunagel boasts 5g-7a—12pts in 10 games this year, and has posted 10 points in his last four games.
2nd Star: Taber Gutschick, D, Helena Bighorns
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ian Bowman, F, Bozeman Icedogs — Tylor Greene, F, Helena Bighorns — Jackson Henningsgard, F, Great Falls Americans — Tucker Lien, F, Gillette Wild — Liam Massie, F, Bozeman Icedogs — Declan Young, F, Gillette Wild
South Division Star of the Week: Lucas Helland, F, Austin Ice Bats
After recording just two points in his first six games, Helland erupted for seven points in two games against Mid-Cities last week. The 2001-born skater recorded two goals and an assist on Friday, then went even bigger for an encore with his first hat-trick of the year along with another helper. Helland has now totaled 5g-4a—9pts in eight games on the year.
2nd Star: Caden Butler, F, El Paso Rhinos
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Shantz, G, Austin Ice Bats — Connor Thompson, F, El Paso Rhinos
West Division Star of the Week: Carter Newpower, F, Mason City Toros
Newpower bounced back from three scoreless games with consecutive multi-goal outings last week, leading the Toros to a home-and-home sweep of Willmar. The second-year sniper posted two goals in Friday’s road win, then put up another pair of goals — including the game-winner — and two helpers in Saturday’s home victory. Newpower’s six-point week boosts him to 8g-8a—16pts in eight games this year, and he has now found the scoresheet in all but one of his games played.
2nd Star: Michael Debrito, F, Alexandria Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jack Campion, F, Mason City Toros — Kullan Daikawa, F, Granite City Lumberjacks — Owen Reeve, G, Minnesota Loons — Nick Richert, F, Granite City Lumberjacks — Matthew Ryynanen, G, Minnesota Loons — Ben Tschida, F, Alexandria Blizzard
