NA3HL Announces Monthly Player Awards for January
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is pleased to announce the monthly player awards for the month of January. Brady Johnson from the Gillette Wild has been selected as Forward of the Month. Ashton Morin from the Austin Ice Bats has been selected as Defenseman of the Month and Riley Burnett of the Maine Nordiques has been selected as Goaltender of the Month.
NA3HL Forward of the Month: Brady Johnson, Gillette Wild
Gillette Wild rookie Brady Johnson has been on fire offensively, putting up an impressive 24 points in just nine games during the month of January. He’s recorded at least one point in eight of those nine games, showcasing consistent production all month long, averaging 2.67 points per game. The Brainerd, MN native recorded two four-point games along with a six-point performance, marking his best three games of the season.
Of his 24 points, Johnson scored 14 times, including the remarkable four-goal outing on the 11th against a tough Sheridan Hawks team, where he was responsible for all four of his team’s tallies. With these 24 points, Johnson has now totaled 40 on the season, highlighting how impressive January was for the '05. Over half of his points have come during this dominant stretch.
“Brady is a very talented skater with a strong work ethic and great skill set. Brady has been very consistent with his play and it has shown as he has continued to develop all season,” stated Wild Owner Dwayne Dillinger.
Beginning the weekend of February 7, 2025, Johnson will play his first games with the Minnesota Moose as Todd Sanden and his team look to make a playoff push to close out the regular season.
Runner up: Thomas Forgrave, Austin Ice Bats
NA3HL Defenseman of the Month: Ashton Morin, Austin Ice Bats
As the third-highest scoring defenseman in the NA3HL, Ashton Morin continues to dominate on both ends of the ice, putting up another strong month in terms of point production for the Ice Bats. The Sudbury, ON native kicked off the new year with an average of 1.36 points per game, tallying 5 goals and 10 assists for a total of 15 points during January. Morin was especially impactful on special teams, racking up six assists on the man advantage while also tallying one shorthanded goal.
One of his standout performances of the 2024-25 season came on the 24th, when Morin played a key role in the heated cross-state matchup against the RoadRunners. During this contest, he evened the score in the first period, then netted another goal before assisting on the game-winner in overtime, leading the Ice Bats to a 5-4 victory.
“Ashton has developed significantly this season, establishing himself as a well-rounded defenseman capable of excelling in all situations. His passion for hockey is evident, and he consistently demonstrates reliable performance game after game,” stated Ice Bats’ Head Coach Westin Michaud. “With his current skill level and dedication, he is ready to seize an opportunity at the next level.”
Runner up: Tai Kontrec, Gillette Wild
NA3HL Goaltender of the Month: Riley Burnett, Maine Nordiques
The Maine Nordiques have been on fire lately, turning in a stellar January, with goaltender Riley Burnett playing a crucial role in their recent success.Throughout the month, the Mankato, MN native posted a 5-2 record, including three shutouts, an incredibly impressive feat. Burnett was faced with a total of 195 shots, making 189 saves for a monthly save percentage of .97% and a goals against average of 0.75.
Of his three shutouts, his standout performance, both of the month and the season, came on the 31st, when the Nords battled the defending East Division Champions, the Northeast Generals. During this contest, Burnett was bombarded with a staggering 39 shots and managed to stop every single one.
“Riley has truly anchored our team with his play in net. He brings energy and a competitive edge to the locker room, and he consistently elevates everyone around him,” stated Nordiques Head Coach Chris Pomerleau.
Runner up: Charlie Donoghue, New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings
