Monday, December 13, 2010

NAHL announces Players of the Week

Press Release

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its Players of the Week, sponsored by SBK Hockey, for the week ending Dec. 12.

SBK HOCKEY/NORTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Mike Monfredo - Motor City Metal Jackets

Motor City defenseman Mike Monfredo registered four assists as the Metal Jackets fashioned a 2-0 record. On Saturday, the Shirley, N.Y., native picked up three assists, including one on Petrus Sipila’s game-winning goal, in a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Hitmen. The next night, the 20-year-old recorded another assist as the Metal Jackets blanked the Port Huron Fighting Falcons, 8-0. Monfredo, who played in last week’s NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, was also a plus-6 on the weekend.

“Mike continues to log 30-plus minutes a night for us in all situations and continues to prove he’s a legitimate Division I prospect,” said Metal Jackets head coach David Cole. “His contributions offensively are impressive, but most important to our team is his plus-17 plus rating.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Chicago defenseman Hunter Brown; Janesville forward Ross Mauermann; Port Huron forward Russell Blaser

SBK HOCKEY/SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Michael Hill - Topeka RoadRunners

Topeka forward Michael Hill struck for three goals and an assist as the RoadRunners skated to a two-game sweep over Texas. On Friday, the Fort Worth, Texas, native scored all three goals, including the overtime game-winner, in a 3-2 triumph. The next night, the 20-year-old picked up an assist as the RoadRunners downed the Tornado, 6-4. The University of Alaska-Fairbanks recruit who participated in last week’s NAHL Top Prospects Tournament was also a plus-3 for the weekend.

“Michael continues to show his leadership night in and night out,” said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer. “He sets the bar high and makes his teammates around him better because of it.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Amarillo forwards Zach Smoot and Cody Freeman; Texas defenseman Donald Olivieri; Wichita Falls forwards Tanner Fahlstedt and Dakota Klecha

SBK HOCKEY/CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Connor Gaarder - Coulee Region Chill

Coulee Region forward Connor Gaarder connected for three goals and an assist as the Chill skated to a two-game sweep over Alexandria. On Friday, the Edina, Minn., native notched a pair of goals in a 6-3 victory. The next night, the 19-year-old who competed in last week’s NAHL Top Prospects Tournament tallied the game-winning marker and an assist as the Chill downed the Blizzard, 6-4.

“Connor has been one of our top and most consistent players all year,” said Chill head coach Garrett Strot. “He had a very strong Top Prospects Tournament and carried that performance into last weekend’s games.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck forward Daniel Zawacki

SBK HOCKEY/WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Pete Spratte - Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Fairbanks defenseman Pete Spratte registered three assists as the Ice Dogs celebrated a two-game sweep over Kenai River. On Friday, the Rochester, Minn., native picked up a pair of assists, including one on Oldrich Kotvan’s game-winning marker in overtime, in a 4-3 triumph. The next night, the 19-year-old added another assist as the Ice Dogs doubled up the Brown Bears, 4-2. He was also a plus-3 on the weekend.

“Pete’s consistency last weekend played a big role in our success,” said Ice Dogs head coach Josh Hauge. “He’s a strong skating defenseman who moves the puck up the ice quickly in transition.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Alaska forward Blake Huppert

SBK HOCKEY/GOALIE OF THE WEEK
Ryan Faragher - Bismarck Bobcats

Bismarck goaltender Ryan Faragher backstopped the Bobcats to a two-game sweep over Austin, turning aside 44 of 45 shots. On Friday, the Fort Frances, Ontario, native made all 23 saves in a 5-0 victory. The next night, the 20-year-old Dartmouth College recruit who competed in last week’s NAHL Top Prospects Tournament stopped 21 shots as the Bobcats bested the Bruins, 3-1.

“Ryan is the foundation of this team,” said Bobcats head coach Layne Sedevie. “He’s the hardest worker, on and off the ice, and his success is well deserved.”

HONORABEL MENTION: Texas’ Jimmy Kruger; Topeka’s Rasmus Tirronen

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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