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 December 20, 2022. 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 five divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Connor McCaffrey, Forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
St. Louis Jr. Blues forward Connor McCaffrey recorded a point in all three games he appeared in during the NA3HL Showcase. McCaffrey, who is a NAPHL Alumni after spending three seasons with CarShield AAA, added 2 goals and 3 assists to total 5 points in three games along with a +7 rating. The St. Louis, MO native has played in 24 games this season and has totaled 9 points with 3 goals and 6 assists.
2nd Star: Max Erstad, F, Milwaukee Power
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ryan Berglund, F, Rochester Grizzlies – Spencer Klotz, F, Rochester Grizzlies – Tommy Lavigne, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues
East Division Star of the Week: Matthew Nuzzolilo, Forward, Northeast Generals
Northeast Generals forward Matthew Nuzzolilo lit up the scoresheet totalling 12 points in the 5 games he played in. The Shrewsbury, MA native had added 7 points with 1 goal and six assists in two games prior to the NA3HL Showcase. Once in Blaine, MN, Nuzzolilo went on a tear totalling 5 points in 3 games. Nuzzolilo has played in 31 games this season and has totalled 39 points with 23 goals and 16 assists.
2nd Star: Landen Schoonover, F, Bay State Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nate Mastrony, F, Bay State Bobcats – McCarthy Reed, F, Northeast Generals
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Bodie Shepardson, Forward, Bozeman Icedogs
Bozeman Icedogs forward Bodie Shepardson took this week’s Frontier Division Star after his three game performance accumulating 7 points. The Livingston, MT native added 5 goals and 2 assists during the NA3HL Showcase and had a +7 rating in over those games. So far this year, Shepardson has played in 26 games and has added 14 goals, and 9 assists for 23 points.
2nd Star: Cole Busher, D, Bozeman Icedogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Silas Hughes, F, Great Falls Americans – Josef Lalli, D, Gillette Wild – Parker Norling, F, Sheridan Hawks – Jake Regan, G, Great Falls Americans – Makhai Sparks, D, Sheridan Hawks – Isaac Young, F, Gillette Wild
South Division Star of the Week: Anthony O’Neal, Forward, Atlanta Capitals
Anthony O’Neal put on a show at the NA3HL Showcase totalling 10 points in three games. O’Neal had 2 goals in his first two games of the Showcase, followed up by a 6 point game to round out the event with 3 goals and 3 assists. The Lawrenceville, GA native is the second leading scorer in the NA3HL, behind his teammate Nick Jameus (74 PTS), with 58 points in 29 games played.
2nd Star: Nick Jameus, F, Atlanta Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Evan Axell, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Hunter Hein, G, Texas RoadRunners – Matvey Ivanov, F, Texas RoadRunners – Joe Kawagishi, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Micha Maldonado, F, Louisiana Drillers – Rory Neish, F, Louisiana Drillers
West Division Star of the Week: Joe Gronholz, Forward, Alexandria Blizzard
Alexandria Blizzard forward Joe Gronholz totalled 10 points in 4 games to earn the West Division Star of the Week. Gronholz, a Alexandria, MN native, added 3 assists in game prior to the NA3HL Showcase. While in Blaine, the forward had multiple points in all three showings at the Super Rink as he added 3 goals and 4 assists. Gronholz has played in 20 games this season and has recorded 37 points with 15 goals and 22 assists.
2nd Star: Colin Hedland, D, Mason City Toros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Gus Cantwell, F, New Ulm Steel – Luke Delzer, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Sean Kenny, F, Alexandria Blizzard – Ryan Lehet, G, Granite City Lumberjacks – Nick O’Brien, D, New Ulm Steel – Hayden Siegel, F, Mason City Toro
