NA3HL Announces Bethel University 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 October 5, sponsored by Bethel University. This weekly award recognizes the top-performing players from each of the league’s six divisions, as nominated by their head coaches, for their outstanding contributions on the ice. 

Central Division Star of the Week: Maxim Lazo, Forward, Wisconsin Woodsmen

Back for his second season in the States, Maxim Lazo has been the driving force behind the Woodsmen offense, averaging 1.71 points per game and recording at least one point in every contest so far this season.

Lazo took center stage on Friday night as Wisconsin put on a show at home, taking down the West Bend Power 6–4. The Slovakia native was unstoppable, netting four goals to lead the comeback victory. After trailing 2–0 in the first period, Lazo ignited the offense with back-to-back goals to even the score, then buried a power-play tally before the second period came to a close. He capped off his stellar night with the team’s sixth goal to seal the win.

Even in Saturday’s setback, Lazo stayed hot, picking up two assists to finish the weekend with six total points. Lazo leads the charge with 12 points in seven games, powering the Woodsmen offense and setting the pace early this season.

With the Woodsmen battling injuries, Head Coach Jon Vaillancourt credited Lazo for stepping up and providing stability, saying: “Maxim has provided our group with stable production as we battle with injuries in the lineup. He has a natural talent to find the puck around the net and I believe should be on the radar for many schools in this coming season. We look to veteran players like him to provide leadership on and off the ice for our young players.”

2nd Star: Drew Sparacino, D, West Bend Power

3rd Star: Mitchell Nappier, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues

East Division Star of the Week: Brody Emond, Forward, Maine Nordiques 

After leading the Nordiques in points last season as a rookie, Brody Emond has wasted no time proving that his breakout year was no fluke. The ’07 forward continues to be a force on the scoresheet, racking up seven points in three games over the weekend.

After a quiet start with a lone assist in game one against New Jersey, Emond erupted against Norwich, putting up six points in the two-game series. In Friday’s matchup, he found the back of the net on the power play and set up two more goals, earning three out of four possible points.

On Saturday, Emond set the tone early, scoring the game’s opening goal to spark the Nordiques’ offense. He assisted on the team’s second goal to build a 2–0 lead, then sealed the deal in the third with his second goal of the game as Maine skated away with a commanding 5–2 victory.

Head Coach Dylan Farrell-Reny spoke highly of Emond’s continued development and impact on the team, saying: “Brody is a younger player with tremendous upside. He’s dangerous with the puck on his stick and has a natural ability to finish plays. He’s relied on heavily in all situations, is extremely coachable, and represents the brand with maturity and pride both on and off the ice.”

2nd Star: Jacob Landry, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

3rd Star: Talon Schackman, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

Frontier Division Star of the Week: Austin Uecker, Forward, Helena Bighorns

Second-year forward Austin Uecker has been leading the charge for the Bighorns’ offense this season, delivering another standout weekend against the Badlands Sabres and Gillette Wild. In Friday’s dominant 9–2 win, Uecker got things rolling with an assist on Helena’s third goal, added another helper on the power-play sixth goal, and capped the night with a goal of his own in the second period.

Saturday’s matchup was tighter, but Uecker continued his hot streak in the 4–1 victory over Gillette. The Sleepy Eye, MN native opened the scoring to make it 1–0 after the first, extended Helena’s lead to 2–1 midway through the second, and then struck again on the power play to complete his first hat trick of the season, igniting the Bighorns on their way to the win.

With six points on the weekend, Uecker now leads the team with 16 points in nine games, building on the strong performance he showed in his rookie season.

Beyond his scoring, Uecker’s leadership has stood out. Head Coach Damon Hanson stated: “Austin has had a great start to the season personally for himself, and obviously had a very good weekend. Austin is determined to help this hockey team win at all costs each and every weekend doing whatever takes. We are very lucky to have him as he is a leader on and off the ice.”

2nd Star: Cole Murphy , G, Great Falls Americans

3rd Star: Dantae Hunziker, F, Sheridan Hawks 

South Division Star of the Week: Guhnar Hillman, Forward, Austin Ice Bats

Captain Guhnar Hillman led the Austin Ice Bats to an electrifying three-game sweep of the El Paso Rhinos, with two games decided by a single goal and all three keeping fans glued to their seats.

Game one saw the Bats fall behind 2–1 early in the second period, but Hillman sparked a turnaround. He set up a key power-play goal and then scored shorthanded, helping Austin take a 4–3 victory. In game two, the team again trailed entering the third, down 1–0, but Hillman dominated the final period, racking up three assists as the Bats scored four goals to secure a 4–2 comeback win.

The finale was an instant classic, with scoring going back and forth and the third period ending in a 3–3 tie. The tension carried into overtime, where Hillman came through once again, netting the game-winner and completing the sweep, his second game-winning goal of the season.

Head Coach Josh Malin had high praise for Hillman after another big weekend, stating: “Guhnar has been instrumental to our success here in Austin, upholding the culture and foundations that we built last year as an organization. All his hard work this offseason is paying off dividends and sets an example for the rest of the group on what the compete level should be day in and day out. Guhnar helps the group pull the rope in the direction of winning each day through their attitude, effort, and discipline. Excited for what's in store for Guhnar as the season progresses and helping the Ice Bats continue to win games."

2nd Star: Montana Medina, D, Tulsa Oilers

3rd Star: Kenny Cadwallader, F, El Paso Rhinos

Southeast Division Star of the Week: Wyatt Mineheine, Forward, Texas RoadRunners

Wyatt Mineheine has been nothing short of dominant in his second NA3HL season, currently leading the league in scoring with 37 points, 13 of which came this past weekend as the Texas RoadRunners completed a three-game road sweep over the Carolina Rage.

The Proctor, MN native opened the weekend on fire, scoring back-to-back goals in the first period and adding another in the second to record a hat trick, while also collecting an assist in a 4–0 shutout win. He followed that performance with another hat trick in game two, two goals in the first, one in the second, and an assist in the third as Texas rolled to a 7–1 victory.

In Sunday’s finale, Mineheine stayed hot, striking twice in the first period (including one on the power play) and setting up three more goals for a five-point game as the RoadRunners sealed the sweep with another 7-goal effort.

Texas Head Coach Mike Beavis spoke on Mineheine’s impressive early-season form, saying: “Wyatt’s been a workhorse since day one. He’s leading the league in scoring and continues to push the pace for our team. He’s really set the bar high for what we expect every night.”

2nd Star: Calum Hartner, G, Texas RoadRunners

West Division Star of the Week: Caleb Waller, Forward, Alexandria Blizzard

The Alexandria Blizzard continued their streak of Star of the Week honors, this time with third-year forward Caleb Waller earning the spotlight after helping his team sweep the Willmar WarHawks in a home-and-home series.

A veteran presence in Alexandria’s lineup, Waller has been a consistent offensive threat year after year, and this season is proving no different. In game one, the Blizzard turned a 1–0 deficit into a 5–1 victory behind a dominant special-teams performance. Waller played a key role, recording two power-play points, scoring Alexandria’s second goal and assisting on their fifth.

Saturday’s matchup was tighter, with no scoring through the first period, but Waller once again made his mark. He assisted on the Blizzard’s opening goal and then scored the eventual game-winner to help seal a 3–1 win and the weekend sweep.

With 12 points in six games, Waller has tallied at least one point in every contest so far, averaging an impressive two points per game as one of Alexandria’s most reliable offensive weapons.

When talking about his captain, Head Coach Jeff Crouse couldn’t say enough about the impact Waller’s had both on and off the ice: “Caleb has been off to a great start with us this year and has really stepped up his leadership role for us this year as well. He’s accepted the Captain role and has a great attitude and work ethic so far this season and it’s paid off on the ice. We look forward to watching his production throughout the rest of the season!”

2nd Star: Jayden Serene, G, Alexandria Blizzard

3rd Star: Ty Smith, F, Granite City Lumberjacks