SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending September 22, 2019. 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: Marco Escobar, F, Coulee Region Chill

Escobar starred in the Chill’s opening slate of games, potting four points in three games to help his team notch its first win of the season. After bagging an assist on Friday, Escobar came up clutch with a goal and another helper in a 3-1 win over St. Louis, before posting one more assist on Sunday. He currently ranks tied for first atop the Chill scoring table.

2nd Star: Joey Fodstad, F, Rochester Grizzlies

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Boccardi, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Zachary Eddington, D, Peoria Mustangs — Sean Hofstetter, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Austin Keil, F, Peoria Mustangs — Lucas Newman, F, Rochester Grizzlies — Parker Severson, F, Coulee Region Chill

Coastal Division Star of the Week: Kolye Bankauskas, F, Northeast Generals

Bankauskas and the Generals saw action just once last week, but certainly made an impact. En route to a 14-4 drubbing of the Maine Wild, Bankauskas netted a whopping five goals and two assists, effectively driving Northeast’s high-octane attack on Sunday. Bankauskas now boasts points in four of five games to start the season, including three multi-point efforts. 

2nd Star: Anthony Viola, F, New England Stars

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None

Frontier Division Star of the Week: Hazen McKay, F, Bozeman Icedogs

McKay took the ice twice last week and continued to build an impressive start to his campaign. Posting 1g, 1a and 3g, 1a in two respective games against Sheridan, the forward bagged his third consecutive multi-point game and second hat-trick in just three games to start the year off. His seven goals on the year are good for third in the NA3HL, despite having played two or more fewer games than both players ahead of him. 

2nd Star: Declan Young, F, Gillette Wild

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Isaac Ellingson, F, Helena Bighorns — Jacob Kaminski, F, Gillette Wild — Jack Olson, F, Great Falls Americans — Spencer Platt, D, Yellowstone Quake — Luke Richesin, D, Great Falls Americans — Cade Rosansky, F, Yellowstone Quake — Hlib Tkach, F, Helena Bighorns 

Northeast Division Star of the Week: Khole Hibbert, F, Skylands Kings

The Kings have struggled out of the gate, posting an 0-4 record to start the season, but players like Hibbert have stood out as positives in the young campaign. Hibbert put on a strong playmaking performance last week, notching two assists on Saturday and another on Sunday, upping his season total to four helpers, which paces all Kings skaters. His five total points also give him a share of the team scoring lead. 

2nd Star: Kyle McEnany, F, Danbury Colonials

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joseph Arnold, F, Skylands Kings

South Division Star of the Week: Grant Griffin, F, Louisiana Drillers

Griffin started hot earlier this month, and kept the good vibes rolling with five points in three games last week. Monday saw him score for the third straight game, posting a pair against Mid Cities, before again depositing a double on Saturday against Atlanta. His goal streak ended there, but he still assisted on a Sunday goal to keep the point streak alive. Including another outing this past Monday, Griffin has recorded 11 points in six games, including five multi-point games in that span. 

2nd Star: David Helpap, F, Atlanta Capitals

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Richard Indermill, F, Texas Brahmas — Matt Macumber, F, Atlanta Capitals — Brandon Morgan, F, Louisiana Drillers — Dylan Smith, F, Texas Brahmas

West Division Star of the Week: Dylan Svoboda, F, Willmar Warhawks

Svoboda’s season has kicked off with a bang, as the forward added to his goal from his first game with three more in two outings last week. As the Warhawks topped Milwaukee twice, Svoboda bagged the game-winning goal on Friday, followed by two more plus a helper on Saturday. Svoboda has now scored in each game to start the season, and leads Willmar with 4-2—6 in the early going. 

2nd Star: Zack Simon, F, North Iowa Bulls

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Luc Haggitt, G, Willmar Warhawks — Cole Jacobs, F, Alexandria Blizzard — Nikolai Rajala, F, Granite City Lumberjacks — Bailey Sommers, F, Granite City Lumberjacks — Sean Sullivan, D, North Iowa Bulls