NA3HL announces 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 March 14, 2021. The divisional stars of the week are awards 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: Matthew DeRosa, F, Rochester Grizzlies
DeRosa posted 5g-2a—7pts in two games last week, leading the Grizzlies to two divisional victories and a 10-game winning streak. The Alpharetta, GA native tallied the game-winning goal in each contest, totaling two goals and an assist on Friday and a hat-trick plus an assist on Saturday. DeRosa’s hat-trick marked his first three-goal outing of the season, and his explosive week boosted his season totals to 22g-16a—38pts in 36 games this year.
2nd Star: Ethan Chesney, F, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ibrahim Arifi, D, Peoria Mustangs — Trey Bociek, F, Wausau RiverWolves — Jared Bratton, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Brent Edmondson, F, Oregon Tradesmen — Joey Fodstad, F, Rochester Grizzlies — Vinny Servizzi, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Sam VanderHoeven, F, Oregon Tradesmen
East Division Star of the Week: Brandon Avezov, F, Mass Titans
Avezov recorded 4g-7a—11pts in a busy four-game week with the Titans last week, highlighted by four consecutive multi-point efforts and a hat-trick. Starting off with a goal and an assist on Wednesday, Avezov picked up two helpers on Friday, then erupted for a hat-trick and two more assists as he factored in on each one of his team’s tallies in a 5-3 win on Saturday. The Bellmore, NY native capped off his week with another strong outing, notching two assists on Sunday as his season metrics rose to 23g-28a—51pts in just 27 games on the year.
2nd Star: Nick Cullinan, F, Springfield Jr. Hat Tricks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Byron, F, Mass Titans — Aleksandr Gamzatov, F, New England Sharks — Nikita Kovalev, F, Springfield Jr. Hat Tricks — Zan Mojzer, F, New England Sharks — Tyler Ramm, F, Northeast Generals
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Nick Wieben, F, Sheridan Hawks
Wieben responded to a run of quiet games with 4g-3a—7pts in two games last week as the Hawks continued to cruise. The 5-foot-10, 175-lbs forward struck for a goal and two assists on Friday, then posted his first hat-trick of the season on Saturday to go with another helper. Wieben’s back-to-back standout showings were his first consecutive performances with three or more points this year, and pushed him to 13g-14a—27pts in 20 games on the year.
2nd Star: Owen Miley, D, Missoula Jr. Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Wyatt Allan, D, Yellowstone Quake — Kieran Christianson, F, Missoula Jr. Bruins — Gavyn Galloway, F, Helena Bighorns — Lucas Gudz, F, Great Falls Americans — Nate Gulsvig, Helena Bighorns — Jake Hayes, F, Great Falls Americans — Carson Kuche, F, Gillette Wild — Matt Schoer, G, Yellowstone Quake — Logan Syrup, F, Sheridan Hawks — Brock Trboyevich, D, Gillette Wild
South Division Star of the Week: Matej Palfy, D, Texas Brahmas
Texas’ standout blueliner was at his goal-scoring best last week, totaling 3g-1a—4pts and a +5 rating in three games as the Brahmas clinched the South Division title against El Paso. Palfy lit the lamp in each contest and chipped in an assist in Friday’s battle, marking his second three-game goal-scoring streak this year. The 6-foot-8, 225-lbs defenseman is up to 8g-13a—21pts and a +28 rating in 19 games on the year.
2nd Star: Jack Lambert, F, Louisiana Drillers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Morgan, F, Louisiana Drillers — Blake Rothstein, F, Texas Brahmas
West Division Star of the Week: Bailey Huber, G, Granite City Lumberjacks
Huber went 2-0-0 with just three goals allowed on 57 shots last week, good for a .947% save percentage on the week. The native of Mahtomedi, MN stopped 24 of 26 in an OT win over Alexandria on Wednesday, then stymied Willmar with 30 saves on 31 shots on Saturday. Huber’s respective marks of .923% and .968% in each contest marked his fourth and fifth consecutive showings with at least a .920% save percentage, and his performances inflated his season-long marks to 13-3-1 with a .917% save percentage and a 2.29 GAA.
2nd Star: Caden Smith, F, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Gimberlin, F, New Ulm Steel — Caleb Huffman, D, North Iowa Bulls — James Spaargaren, F, New Ulm Steel — Josh Weyandt, G, Granite City Lumberjacks
