Tuesday, January 10, 2012

3HL announces player and goalie of the month awards

Press Release

The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Combat Hockey Player of the Month and the Brian’s Custom Sports Goaltender of the Month for December. The honors were awarded to Minnesota Flying Aces forward Parker Tomczyk as the Combat Hockey Player of the Month, and Flint Jr. Generals goalie Benjamin Myers as the Brian’s Custom Sports Goaltender of the Month.

Tomczyk, 20, had a December to remember as he recorded a league-high 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) in just seven games played during the month of December. The Mosinee, Wisconsin native scored in all but one game during the month and has recorded at least a point in 13 of his last 15 games. He helped the Flying Aces to a 3-1-0 record at the 3HL Showcase. Tomczyk (5’8/165) currently leads the 3HL in goals with 25 and ranks 6th overall in points with 42.

Tomczyk’s best game of the month came at the Showcase when he recorded three goals and three assists in a 8-3 win over the Michigan Mountain Cats. “Parker is a pure goal-scorer and plays hard every night. He is a player that certainly is earning his points and opportunities,” said Minnesota head coach Craig Larson. “He is a leader on this team and does it primarily by example, both on the ice and in the lockerroom. He wants badly to play at the next level in college so he is working very hard on a daily basis to accomplish that and putting himself in position to be successful.”

Flint Jr. Generals goaltender Benjamin Myers, 18, won all five games he played and started in during the month of December posting a perfect 5-0-0 record and helping Flint to achieve a perfect record at the 3HL Showcase in Darien, Illinois. Myers posted a 2.71 goals against average during the month and also a 90.2% save percentage. The Wauwatosa, Wisconsin native ranks tied for 2nd in the 3HL with 12 wins this season and his goals against average and save percentage both rank in the top 12.

Myers best performance of the month came in the 3-2 shootout win over the high-powered Granite City Lumberjacks at the 3HL Showcase, in which he stopped 35 of 37 shots through regulation and overtime, and then stopped all five Granite City shooters in the shootout to secure victory. “Ben has been the backbone to our current nine-game winning streak,” said Flint head coach Jeff Worlton. “He makes the key saves when we need it and it allows the team to continue their momentum. He has been much more decisive on his puck handling and his rebound control and combined with a great work ethic, I think he has the proper tools to get to the next level.”

Other 3HL players nominated for the monthly awards were (alphabetical): Eric Behrend, forward, North Iowa Bulls – TJ Christianson, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Matt Grove, goaltender, Granite City Lumberjacks – Richard Jansson, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Dillon Kelley, goaltender, Metro Jets – Steve Klisz, forward, Metro Jets – James Koonce, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Luke McCarthy, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames - Mike Meadows, goaltender, Quad City Jr. Flames – Allen Patten, goaltender, Minnesota Flying Aces – Nicholas Randazzo, forward, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Joe Skrzynski, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Clint Steinmeyer, goaltender, St. Louis Jr. Blues.

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

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