NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending October 6, 2013. 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 four divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Billy Hindle, goaltender, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Although he played in just one game during the weekend, St. Louis goaltender Billy Hindle, 18, made it count. The native of Wildwood, Missouri, started and played in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win in Wisconsin against the Whalers. Hindle (6’2/175) ended up facing 53 shots in the game and made a total of 50 saves. His 93.8% save percentage ranks tied for 3rd in the NA3HL to date and he also has a 2-0 record this season. “Saturday night Billy stole two points for our team,” said Jr. Blues head coach Chris Flaugher. “He made several key/point black saves throughout the game and gave his team an opportunity to win. When the team was having trouble finding their groove, Billy made the big saves to keep us in the game.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Devin Fracassi, defenseman, Cincinnati Swords – Tommy Heinzman, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Connor Hyde, forward, Wisconsin Whalers – Emil Sundstrom, defenseman, Cincinnati Swords
East Division Star of the Week: Anders Franke, goaltender, Flint Junior Generals
The Junior Generals have been the story in the NA3HL through the first month of the season, with an 8-0-1 record that leads the East Division. It isn’t a surprise that they are also lead by one of the top goalies in the league, 19-year-old Anders Franke. This past weekend, Franke and the Junior Generals were again shining bright as they posted a weekend home sweep of the Peoria Mustangs. Franke (5’7/160) started and played in both wins, as the native of Zimmerman, Minnesota stopped 75 of a possible 77 shots during the weekend. Franke gave up just a single goal in both of the games. He made 37 saves in Saturday’s 5-1 win and 38 saves in Sunday’s 4-1 win. “Anders has been the backbone of this team and he is a rock in net,” said Flint head coach Steve Howard. The numbers he is able to produce don’t lie. We simply wanted a guy that could stop the puck on a consistent basis and Anders is that goalie for us.”
South Division Star of the Week: Avik Bordak, forward, Sugar Land Imperials
It was an exciting first couple of games in the NA3HL South Division this past weekend as Sugar Land traveled to Dallas to take on the Jr. Stars. Sugar Land forward Avik Bordak, 19, had a good first weekend to help the Imperials to a split with Dallas. The native of Vancouver, Washington totaled seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in the two games. On Friday, Bordak (6’0/185) had two goals and two assists in a 6-3 win. On Saturday, Bordak had two more goals and an assist in a 12-4 loss. Three of his four goals during the weekend came via the power play. Bordak is a junior hockey veteran, who spent a portion of the 2011-12 season with the NAHL’s New Mexico Mustangs. “I thought Avik had a solid weekend and was good in all parts of the game,” said Imperials head coach Jarod Palmer. “He understands this level of hockey and sticks up for his teammates.”
West Division Star of the Week: Drew Otto, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
One of the two players currently tied for the NA3HL scoring lead is 19-year-old Granite City forward Drew Otto. The native of Menomonie, Wisconsin continued his offensive assault this past weekend as the Lumberjacks racked up two more wins against the Twin City Steel. Otto (5’11/180) totaled five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, Otto had a goal and an assist in an 8-1 win. Saturday, he had another goal and two assists in a 6-3 win. All his points during the weekend came during the power play. For the season, Otto is tied for the NA3HL lead in points with 16 and assists with 12. “Drew was great on the power play this past weekend,” said Granite City head coach Brad Willner. “He understands how to be patient and he has great vision. It is good to see him picking up so many assists.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jace Childs, forward, Twin City Steel – Zach Randell, defenseman, Twin City Steel - Aidan Verbeke, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
