NA3HL announces monthly player awards for October

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of October.  The Combat Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month is Cameron Dimmitt from the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks.  The Combat Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month is Matt Petersen from the Granite City Lumberjacks.  The Brian’s Custom Sports NA3HL Goaltender of the Month is Michael Parda from the Peoria Mustangs.  Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NA3HL monthly awards.

Combat Hockey NA3HL Forward of the Month: Cameron Dimmitt, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
Veteran Cleveland forward Cameron Dimmitt, 20, has been here before.  The forward from Howell, Michigan, led the NA3HL in scoring last season and was named the league’s rookie of the year.  This past month, Dimmitt (5’11/190) has shown no signs of slowing down as he put together a torrid month of October on his way to being named the NA3HL’s Forward of the Month.  Last season, Dimmitt led the league with 77 points.  This season, Dimmitt again leads the league with 27 points, 18 of which came in the month of October.  In the seven games he played in, Dimmitt had eight goals and 10 assists.  Two of his goals were game-winners and he was also a +6 during the month.  Back on October 24th, he was named the league’s #3 star of the week.  “Cameron has stepped up his game this season and is not settling on the season he had last year,” said Cleveland head coach Bob Jacobson.  “He is constantly challenging himself to be the best player on the ice every night and has done a really good job of trying to become a better hockey player.”
 
Runner-Up: Aidan Verbeke, Granite City Lumberjacks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Easton Halbert, Quad City Jr. Flames – Trey Hughes, Twin City Steel – Mike Lozano, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Lucas McCammant, Queen City Steam – Ed Osowski, Flint Jr. Generals – Andre Pison, Minnesota Flying Aces – Tim Santopoalo, North Iowa Bulls – Guy Soulliere, Michigan Mountain Cats – Matt Stirling, Metro Jets – Tyler Zalecki, Toledo Cherokee.
Previous Winners: September 2012-Matt Stirling, Metro Jets

Combat Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month: Matt Petersen, Granite City Lumberjacks
Granite City defenseman Matt Petersen, 20, is one of the big reasons why the Lumberjacks are off to a 12-1-0 start through October.  The veteran defenseman from Center City, Minnesota, played all eight of his games to date during the month.  He recorded two goals and four assists for six points during the month and was an eye-popping +8.  This is Petersen’s (6’0/185) second go-around with the Lumberjacks.  He spent the 2010-11 season with Granite City before spending last season in several junior leagues, including the NAHL.  However, the majority of the season was plagued by injury.  He is back and better this year, as his head coach Brad Willner can attest to.  “Matt is a very good two-way defenseman and has really improved since the last time he played for us two years ago,” said Willner.  “He takes responsibility on the defensive end first, but can also be very affective on the power play.  He really provides a veteran presence and poise on the blueline.”
 
Runner-Up: Cody Linchtenvoort, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Myles Burrough, Metro Jets – Rob Gentile, Queen City Steam - James Gleason, Michigan Mountain Cats – Nick Goetel, Flint Jr. Generals - Clayton Janecke, Quad City Jr. Flames – Connor Langfield, North Iowa Bulls – Donnie Nagle, Toledo Cherokee – Dylan Nelson, Minnesota Flying Aces – Tyler Opilka, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Pat Smith, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks.
Previous Winners: September 2012-Tyler Opilka, St. Louis Jr. Blues

Brian’s Custom Sports NA3HL Goaltender of the Month: Michael Parda, Peoria Mustangs
The NA3HL player awards for October are rounded out by another veteran, goaltender Michael Parda, 20, of the Peoria Mustangs.  The native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, is picking up right where he left off last year when he was one of the top goalies in NA3HL.  In the month of October, Parda (6’0/150) posted a 2-1-0 record and stopped a total of 90 out of 95 shots, good for a save percentage of 94.7%.  His goals against average during the month was a very tidy 1.67.  His current save percentage of 93.2% ranks him tied for 2nd in the NA3HL.  “Michael came into camp and into this season in great shape and I think that is allowing him to take his game to the next level,” said Mustangs head coach Jean Guy Trudel.  “He has a great mental make-up and composure and nothing seems to phase him.  He bounces right back after a goal and remains confident he will stop the next shot coming his way.”

Runner-Up: Ted Barile, Flint Jr. Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical):  Mikael Broliden, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Ian Dvorak, Michigan Mountain Cats – David Heflin, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Trevor Kalinowski, Metro Jets – Scott Murray, Granite City Lumberjacks – Robbie Vukelich, Quad City Jr. Flames – Hunter Vorva, Toledo Cherokee.
Previous Winner: Mikael Broliden, St. Louis Jr. Blues

About Combat Hockey
The Official Equipment Supplier of the NAHL, Combat Sports has been extremely successful the past 10 years as the fastest-growing North American baseball/softball bat, hockey stick and lacrosse shaft manufacturing company.  Visit Combat online here.

About Brian's Custom Sports
The Official Goaltending Equipment Supplier of the NAHL, Brian's has been a leading Canadian supplier of custom built goal equipment since 1984. The factory is located in Kingsville, Ontario near the Southern tip of Canada with ready access to supplying the North American market. As one of the original and remaining custom goal equipment manufacturers Brian's remains committed to continuing to lead the industry with exceptional design and quality.  Visit Brian’s online here.