3HL announces Combat Hockey 3 Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Three Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending October 28, 2012. The three stars of the week is an award given each week of the regular season to the top performing players in the 3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
1st Star: Lucas McCammant, forward, Queen City Steam
Queen City forward Lucas McCammant, 18, helped his team get back on track this past weekend as the Steam swept a weekend home set against the Quad City Jr. Flames. On Saturday, McCammant (5’9/180) chipped in with an assist in a 3-1 win. On Sunday, the native of Bellbrook, Ohio, exploded for two goals (including the game-winner) and three assists for a five point game in a 6-4 win. Out of Queen City’s nine goals over the weekend, McCammant posted points on six of them. McCammant is second on the Steam in scoring with 10 points despite playing in just six games to date. “His play in all three zones is one of his major strengths,” said Steam head coach Lee Lansdowne. “He was killing most of our penalties all weekend and he is as strong defensively as he is on the offensive side.”
2nd Star: Aidan Verbeke, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
Granite City Lumberjacks forward Aidan Verbeke, 19, makes his second consecutive appearance in the 3HL’s 3 Stars of the Week. The native of Elmwood Park, Illinois, helped Granite City to two more wins over the weekend. On Friday, Verbeke (6’0/170) scored two goals in a 5-1 win at Breezy Point. Although Verbeke sat out Saturday’s loss to Breezy Point, he responded with another big game on Sunday as he recorded two goals (including the game-winner) and two assists for a four-point game in a big 8-3 win over North Iowa. Verbeke, who was also +4 on the weekend, leads the Lumberjacks in scoring with 20 points in 12 games played. “Aidan’s consistently starting to become a player who can put up points on a nightly basis,” said Lumberjacks head coach Brad Willner. “This past weekend, he was all over the ice and really made a difference on the power play, penalty kill and even strength. His entire line plays with confidence and is a threat to score each time they step on the ice.
3rd Star: Trace Jablin, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
At just 18 years old, St. Louis Jr. Blues forward Trace Jablin is in his second year with the team and is playing like a true veteran. This past weekend, the native of St. Louis, Missouri, helped the Jr. Blues to a weekend home sweep of the Michigan Mountain Cats with a four point weekend. Jablin’s (5’10/155) best game came on Saturday, when he had a hat-trick and an assist in a 9-1 win. Although he didn’t score in Sunday’s 5-3 win, Jr. Blues head coach JP Beilsten said that Jablin in leading by example on the ice. “Trace is really playing like a veteran player should. He was good on special teams and in all areas. He also stepped up to be a true leader of the team this season.” Jablin is tied for the team scoring lead with 19 points in 13 games.
Honorable Mention (alphabetical order): Zach Armstrong, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Matt Bartels, goaltender, North Iowa Bulls – Alex Berardinelli, forward, Three Rivers Vengeance – Anthony Caroselli, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames – Bryan Davis, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Ian Dvorak, goaltender, Michigan Mountain Cats – Nick Gnagni, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Kevin Gregory, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Trey Hughes, forward, Twin City Steel – Brycon Jasper, forward, Breezy Point North Stars – Luke McDiarmid, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Kyle Meeh, defenseman, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Drew Otto, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Andrew Palushaj, forward, Metro Jets – Spencer Peratalo, defenseman, Alexandria Blizzard – Tim Santopoalo, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Henry Smith, forward, Queen City Steam – Matt Stirling, forward, Metro Jets – Kevin Stone, defenseman, Quad City Jr. Flames – Nico Vecchio, forward, Three Rivers Vengeance.
