NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending October 13, 2013. 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 four divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Jason Hoehn, forward, Wisconsin Whalers
At 5-1-2, the new-look Wisconsin Whalers have one of the best records going in the NA3HL so far this season. Their success continued this past weekend with a road sweep of the Metro Jets. Forward Jason Hoehn, 18, had a big hand in the wins, totaling five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in two wins. The native of Port Byron, Illinois started the weekend with two goals an assist in a 6-4 win on Saturday and followed it up with a one goal and one assist performance on Sunday. For the season, Hoehn (6’0/205) has 10 points in eight games played and ranks 2nd on the team in scoring. “Jason is a good veteran player and he really has been playing great lately,” said Whalers head coach Tom McDermott. “He has shown a lot of leadership and hard work. He moves the puck well and that has translated in success for the entire team.”
East Division Star of the Week: Nate Klebe, goaltender, Flint Junior Generals
Despite moving two players onto the NAHL in the last week, the Flint Junior Generals didn’t miss a beat and improved their season record to 10-0-1 with two more wins over the weekend. One of the main reasons behind the success has been the goaltending and this weekend that was because of 19-year-old rookie Nate Klebe. The native of South Lyon, Michigan and former NAPHL goaltender started and won both games this weekend for Flint, allowing just a single goal in 125 minutes of action. On Friday, Klebe (6’0/160) made 34 saves and allowed just a single goal through regulation and overtime and then win the shootout for Flint in a 2-1 win at Toledo. On Sunday, he stopped all 22 shots that came his way in a 6-0 shutout at Michigan. “I think Nate and Anders (Franke) really push each other and they are better for it. It is healthy competition between two #1 goalies,” said Flint head coach Steve Howard. “Nate is a hard-working goalie that had some good seasoning and experience in the NAPHL that really prepared him for the grind of this season.”
South Division Star of the Week: Jude Hull, goaltender, Topeka Capitals
It was an impressive NA3HL debut for the Topeka Capitals and goaltender Jude Hull. The native of Stillwater, Minnesota, got the start in both weekend games as the Capitals made their NA3HL debut against the Dallas Jr. Stars in Topeka. Despite the scores of 7-1 and 4-0, Hull (5’10/160) was outstanding in net as he faced 69 shots and made 68 saves in the two games. On Saturday night, in front of a NA3HL record crowd of 1,502 fans in Topeka, the 19-year-old Hull made 33 saves in a 7-1 win. On Sunday, he was even better stopping all 35 shots that came his way in a 4-0 shutout. Prior to this season, Hull spent last year playing for the Bozeman Ice Dogs in the AWHL and in 2011-12, he played for Stillwater High School in Minnesota. “Jude played a big role in our two wins this weekend,” said Capitals head coach Anthony Bohn. “Jude stayed composed and made big saves when we needed them. That allowed us to keep momentum going.”
West Division Star of the Week: Ritchie Marenis, forward, North Iowa Bulls
Although he played in just one game this past weekend, North Iowa forward Richie Marenis, 20, made his presence felt in a big way as the Bulls returned from a month-long break with an 11-1 road win against the Breezy Point North Stars on Saturday. The native of Riga, Latvia had a goal and five assists for a six-point night and was also a +5 in the win. One of the assists included the game-winning goal scored late in the 1st period. Marenis (6’1/190) is tied for the team lead in points this season with 11 in four games played. “Richie is a great skater and when you combine that with his physicality and his scoring ability, he becomes a big, all-around threat,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden. “He adds a lot to our offensive capabilities and is a reason that we have some good depth up front.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jace Childs, forward, Twin City Steel – Isaac Hale, defenseman, Twin City Steel – Scott Murray, goaltender, Granite City Lumberjacks – Tim Santopoalo, forward, North Iowa Bulls
