NA3HL Announces Stars of the Week

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is pleased to announce the Divisional Stars of the Week for the week ending September 29th. 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: Jake Garrow, Forward, Wausau Cyclones

Jake Garrow and the Wausau Cyclones completed a weekend sweep during their cross-divisional series with the Minnesota Moose. The Marquette, MI native led the way offensively for his team with a massive four goal performance on Friday with one goal in the first, two in the second and one during the third period. Garrow would follow things up on Saturday scoring the game winning goal in addition to tallying one assist during their 4-2 victory. 

“After taking a year away from hockey Jake has jumped in and become an impact player for us immediately. The combination of skill, size, speed and pure will has made him one of our go to players early in the season,” stated Cyclones Head Coach Nathan Oystrick. 

2nd Star: Andrew Johnson Jr, Peoria Mustangs 

3rd Star: Jace Fitzgerald, West Bend Power

East Division Star of the Week: Gabe Pomerleau, Goaltender, Maine Nordiques

Gabe Pomerleau and the Maine Nordiques picked up a huge four points towards the standings with a weekend sweep over the New Jersey Titans, entering their win streak to three. Standing tall between the pipes for both games, the 2007 rookie netminder was faced with a total of 67 shots, making 63 saves. As a result of his stellar two game performances, Pomerleau’s weekend statistics add up to a .943 save percentage and a goals against average of 2. 

"Gabe brings a high level of compete to practices and has a love for the game that spreads throughout the team," stated Nordiques Head Coach Chris Pomerleau. "This attitude earned him the start and set him up for a winning weekend with a team in front of him playing well."

2nd Sar: Brody Emond, Maine Nordiques

3rd Star: Andrew Hill, Norwich Sea Captains

Frontier Division Star of the Week: Zach Longnecker, Forward, Sheridan Hawks

Zach Longnecker and the Sheridan Hawks split their weekend with the Badlands Sabres but it was Longnecker who stood out on the scoresheet during Friday night’s victory. The Stillwater, MN native would open up the scoring for Sheridan, burying the first goals of the game in the first period. Longnecker would go on to score one goal in the second and one goal in the third period for a four point game. 

“Zach has been working diligently to find ways to contribute. As a newcomer on the team, it’s a struggle at first but he’s been persistent in his work on the ice,” said Hawks Head Coach JJ Santagata. “It was great to see him be rewarded this weekend with a four goal game.”

2nd Star: Kade Pareja, Helena Bighorns

3rd Star: Josh Serino, Sheridan Hawks 

South Division Star of the Week: Skylar Bawcom, Forward, Texas RoadRuners

Skylar Bawcom and the Texas RoadRunners have been continuing their hot-streak from last weekend with a three-game sweep over the Tulsa Jr. Oilers. The Rockwall, TX native scored a single goal on Friday night, the eventual game winner for the RoadRunners and would follow up with an identical performance on Saturday, becoming the hero for his squad in back to back games. Bawcom would have his best game to date on Sunday scoring a hattrick and tallying an additional assist with two of his goals coming on the powerplay.

"Skylar has been a great off-season addition for us.  He is a player that can find the seam and has a knack for finding the net,” stated Head Coach Mike Beavis. 

2nd Star: Dante Hunziker, New Mexico Ice Wolves

3rd Star: Jonathon Berndt, Louisiana Drillers

West Division Star of the Week: Jordan Fanti, Defenseman, Minnesota Wilderness

Jordan Fanti and the Minnesota Wilderness split their weekend series with the Peoria Mustangs, with Fanti being the most prominent member of the blueline. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native had his best game to date on Friday as he was able to score back to back powerplay in addition to notching one assist. During their second game against Peoria, Fanti contributed again offensively, dishing out one assist. 

“Jordan has been great from the start,” stated Wilderness Head Coach Zach Stepan.” He is a player that prepares like a pro both on and off the ice, and it was nice seeing him get rewarded for that preparation on the scoresheet.”

2nd Star: Thomas Gerum, Granite City Lumberjacks 

3rd Star: Mason Wanka, Willmar WarHawks