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 January 8, 2023. 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: Carter Watters, Forward, Oregon Tradesmen
Oregon Tradesmen forward, Carter Watters recorded an astonishing 14 points in 3 games to earn the Central Division Star of the Week. In a three-game set with the St. Louis Jr. Blues, Watters opened up game one with a show adding 7 points with 3 goals and 4 assists. On the second night, the Sun Prairie, WI native scored two goals. In game three of the series, Watters combined for 5 points with 2 goals and 3 assists. This season Watters has played in 30 games and has totaled 39 points with 19 goals and 20 assists.
2nd Star: Bryce Stensrud, F, Oregon Tradesmen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ryan Berglund, F, Rochester Grizzlies – Max Erstad, F, Milwaukee Power – Adam Prokop, G, Milwaukee Power – Gabe Randel, F, Wausau Cyclones – Per Waage, D, Rochester Grizzlies
East Division Star of the Week: Ryo Murakami, Goalie, Long Beach Sharks
Long Beach Sharks goaltender Ryo Murakami was fantastic between the pipes in a two-game showing earning a shutout win. In a weekend series against the East’s second ranked team, the Norwich Sea Captains, Murakami posted a 56-shot shutout win. The following night, Murakami allowed two goals in a 3-1 final score. In those two games, the Hokkaido, Japan native recorded a 1.01 GAA and a .977 SV% while stopping 84 of the 86 shots he faced.
2nd Star: Matthew Nuzzolilo, F, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Begich, F, Norwich Sea Captains – Logan Brown, D, Northeast Generals – Brian Essing, F, Norwich Sea Captains – Zac Kretzschmer, F, Long Beach Sharks – Roy Sharver, D, New Jersey Titans – Landon Schoonover, F, Bay State Bobcats – Ryan Talorico, F, New Jersey Titans
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Jesse Schindel, Goalie, Helena Bighorns
Helena Bighorns goalie Jesse Schindel took back-to-back wins against the Gillette Wild. Schindel posted a 29-shot shutout win in the opening night against the Wild. The Lethbridge, AB native added another win under his belt after stopping 39 of the 40 shots he faced on his way to a weekend sweep over the Wild. Schindel is 7-1 this season and has totaled a 1.86 GAA and a .932 SV%.
2nd Star: Nick Bradshaw, F, Butte Cobras
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nate Awoyemi, F, Sheridan Hawks – Brayson Bennett, F, Yellowstone Quake – Nick Cofer, F, Yellowstone Quake – Caleb Cross, G, Butte Cobras – John Huges, G, Yellowstone Quake – Parker Norling, F, Sheridan Hawks – Cole Wheaton, G, Gillette Wild – Harlan Wojtusik, F, Helena Bighorns – Isaac Young, F, Gillette Wild
South Division Star of the Week: Eitan Geralnik, Forward, Texas RoadRunners
Eitan Geralnik totaled 7 points, including a hat-trick, in the three games he appeared in to earn the South Division Star of the Week. In three games against the Mid Cities Jr. Stars, Geralnik added a hat-trick on the opening night, followed by a two assists performance and then finished the weekend with a goal and assist. This season the Houston, TX native has played in 30 games and has totaled 46 points with 17 goals and 29 assists.
2nd Star: Austin Micale, D, Atlanta Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Patrick Boyle, G, El Paso Rhinos – Sebastian Hale, F, Austin Ice Bats – Nick Jameus, F, Atlanta Capitals – Collin Lemanski, G, Austin Ice Bats – Payne Pent, F, El Paso – Kyle Portlock, F, Texas RoadRunners
West Division Star of the Week: Ashton Ericksen, Forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
Granite City Lumberjacks forward Ashton Ericksen totaled 4 points in two games to earn the West Division Star of the Week. Ericksen opened up the two-game weekend by adding a goal in the Lumberjacks 3-1 win against the Willmar WarHawks. In the second game of the weekend, Ericksen added 3 points with 1 goal and 2 assists in an 8-0 Lumberjack win. This season, the Cherry Valley, IL native has played in 20 games and has recorded 13 points
2nd Star: Nolan Lacosse, G, New Ulm Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Blake Biermaier, F, New Ulm Steel – Christian Kankelfritz, F, Willmar WarHawks – Ryan Lehet, G, Granite City Lumberjacks
