NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending February 9, 2020. The divisional stars of the week are awards given each week of the regular season to the top-performing players in each of the six divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Jacob Wiethaupt, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Wiethaupt erupted for eight points in two wins over Milwaukee last week, stretching his point streak to seven games with 8g-8a—16pts in that span. Saturday saw him bag a hat-trick — his second in five games — and two assists for his first five-point game of the season. Sunday featured more of the same, as the Missouri native notched another goal and two helpers. In total, he boasts 27g-30a—57pts in 37 games this season.
2nd Star: Jacob Best, F, Coulee Region Chill
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matt DeRosa, F, Rochester Grizzlies — Jaden Gardner, G, Peoria Mustangs — Sean Guerin, G, Rochester Grizzlies — Sean Hofstetter, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Ryan Payne, D, Peoria Mustangs — Parker Severson, F, Coulee Region Chill
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Raphael Gaughan, G, Northeast Generals
Gaughan and the Generals shut down Elmira in back-to-back contests on Friday and Saturday, as he stopped 56 of 57 total shots en route to a pair of key wins. His 20-save shutout on Friday led into a stout 36-save performance on Saturday, bumping his season totals to 8-1-2 with a .936 save percentage and a 1.39 GAA .
2nd Star: Carson Asper, F, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Alex Kesler, D, Sheridan Hawks
Kesler made it three straight games with a goal after netting in back-to-back tilts on Friday and Saturday. His strike on Friday stood as the game-winner, and Saturday saw him post an assist to go along with his goal. Kesler’s 2g-1a effort on the weekend pushed him above a point-per-game pace this season, with 14g-28a—42pts in 41 games this season.
2nd Star: Caleb Brownell, D, Bozeman Icedogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Michael Allman, G, Yellowstone Quake — James Downie, G, Sheridan Hawks — Trever Mellen, G, Great Falls Americans — Brad Muzzarelli, G, Gillette Wild — Brandon Peterson, D, Great Falls Americans — Ethan Racz, G, Helena Bighorns — Cade Rosansky, F, Yellowstone Quake — Caleb Sanborn, F, Gillette Wild — Porter Tirrill, F, Helena Bighorns
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Connor Lefkof, D, Danbury Colonials
Lefkof snapped a two-game pointless skid with consecutive 1g-1a performances from the Danbury blue line. He came up clutch in both games against the New England Knights, as both of his goals on the weekend were game-winners. Lefkof’s outburst also marked the second time this season he has logged back-to-back multi-point outings, as he ballooned his season totals to 4g-28a—32pts in 38 games.
2nd Star: James Clarke, F, Skylands Kings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joseph Arnold, F, Skylands Kings — Nate Mastrony, F, Danbury Colonials
South Division Star of the Week: Bryce Runyan, G, Texas Brahmas
Runyan was perfect between the pipes for the Brahmas, posting back-to-back shutouts against Atlanta to help Texas clinch the South Division regular-season title. With 16 saves on Friday and 22 on Saturday, Runyan bagged his second and third shutouts in his last four starts, boosting his season-long stats to 16-2-4 with a .915 save percentage and a 2.14 GAA.
2nd Star: Blake Siewertsen, F, Louisiana Drillers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cal Couell, D, Texas Brahmas — Mitch Rutledge, D, Louisiana Drillers
West Division Star of the Week: Brandon Holt, F, Willmar Warhawks
Holt’s consistency was remarkable last week, as he scored in each one of three games and potted an assist along the way. His goals on Friday and Saturday were game-winners, and his Sunday strike made it goals in four of his last five outings. In total, he has bagged 15g-29a—44pts in 36 games this season.
2nd Star: Joey Gimberlin, F, New Ulm Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Josh Baker, F, New Ulm Steel — Nate Green, F, Granite City Lumberjacks — Bailey Huber, G, Granite City Lumberjacks — Eli Slagter, F, Willmar Warhawks
