NA3HL announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending December 19, 2023. 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: Nick O’Brien, Defense, Wisconsin Woodsmen
Wisconsin Woodsmen defenseman Nick O’Brien recorded at least a point in each of the 4 games he appeared in to earn the Central Division Star of the Week. O’Brien, a native of Lino Lakes, MN, scored two goals and dished out 4 assists to combine for 6 points in 4 games played. O’Brien has played in 24 games this season where he has totaled 19 points.
2nd Star: Hunter Nelson, F, Wisconsin Woodsmen
East Division Star of the Week: Nolan Nemecek, Forward, Long Beach Sharks
Long Beach Sharks forward Nolan Nemecek recorded five points in three games at the NA3HL Showcase. The Grand Rapids, MI native started the showcase off with two assists in his opening game. In the following showing, Nemecek added a goal and an assist, and then the final game added a goal. Nemecek has played in 19 games this season where he has totaled 17 points.
2nd Star: Brian Essing, F, Norwich Sea Captains
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Aidan Anderson, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Lou Caufield, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Tyler Herrick, F, Norwich Sea Captains – Colton McIntyre, G, Long Beach Sharks
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Tanner Freed, Forward, Sheridan Hawks
Tanner Freed lit up the scoresheet over the three games the Sheridan Hawks played at the NA3HL Showcase. Freed, a Edina, MN native, put on a show in his home state during the Showcase in Blaine, MN, combining for 8 points. In those three games, Freed scored a goal in each, including a five-point game with a goal and four assists. Freed has played in 28 games this year where he has produced 35 points.
2nd Star: Matthew Ryynanen, G, Bozeman Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jason Hammett, F, Helena Bighorns – Tim Mattingly, F, Helena Bighorns – Sebe Perez, F, Great Falls Americans – Braylon Rogers, G, Butte Irish – Daniel Shelden, F, Sheridan Hawks – Ryan Stowe, G, Great Falls Americans – Carson Streich, D, Butte Irish – Spencer Wilkinson, F, Bozeman Ice Dogs – Isaac Young, F, Gillette Wild
South Division Star of the Week: Seth Dragojevic, Forward, Mid-Cities Stars
Seth Dragojevic totaled 7 points in three games at the NA3HL Showcase which earned him the South Division Star of the Week. The Moncton, CAN native kicked off the Showcase with back-to-back games with a goal and an assist. In his third and final game at the Showcase, Dragojevic netted two goals and dished out an assist. This season for the Stars, Dragojevic has played in 18 games where he’s totaled 22 points.
2nd Star: Luke Romney, G, Texas Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Bailey, F, Texas Brahmas – Mackenzie Bolger, F, El Paso Rhinos – Brad Camp, F, Atlanta Capitals – Noah Easterson, F, Texas RoadRunners – Krystof Jakubowski, G, Texas RoadRunners – Ian Mohr, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Anthony O’Neal, F, Atlanta Capitals – Ryan Piekarski, G, El Paso Rhinos – Owen Zenone, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves
West Division Star of the Week: Nolan LaCosse, Goalie, Alexandria Blizzard
Alexandria Blizzard goaltender Nolan LaCosse picked up four straight wins to earn the West Division Star of the Week. The Stillwater, MN native picked up a huge win against the Granite City Lumberjacks where he turned away 43 shots in the win. A few days after, the netminder was called on all three games at the NA3HL Showcase. LaCosse picked up a win over the El Paso Rhinos stopping 13 shots, then another win in net against the Great Falls Americans after turning away 26 tries on net. On the final day, he made 16 saves in a 4-1 win over Wausau. During those four games, LaCosse combined for a 1.67 GAA and a .943 SV%. So far this season, LaCosse has a 14-5-1-1 record, a 2.32 GAA and a .922 SV%.
2nd Star: Matt Haun, D, Rochester Grizzlies
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Miles Berg, D, Mason City Toros – Hayden Johnson, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Easton Portner, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Jax Schauer, F, Mason City Toros – Owen Van Tassel, F, Rochester Grizzlies – Justin Wasvick, F, Alexandria Blizzard
