Press Release
The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) announced its
Pointstreak Peak Performers from the NAPHL Blaine II Showcase event in
Blaine, Minnesota. The players were selected based upon their
performance at the fourth NAPHL showcase event of the season, which was
held at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, MN, from November 30-December
3, 2012.
MIDGET MAJOR (18U) POINTSTREAK PEAK PERFORMER-Collin Finkhouse, forward, West Michigan Hounds
One of the teams surging up the 18U standings in the NAPHL is
the West Michigan Hounds. The Hounds won all five of their games in
convincing and sometimes, dramatic fashion at the NAPHL Showcase in
Blaine. As a result, they now occupy 1st place in the 18U’s Blue
Division with a 10-2-2 record. It is tough to find a player more
valuable to his team during the event in Blaine and during the season so
far than forward Collin Finkhouse. The 18-year-old
from Ada, Michigan, was one of the key factors in the Hounds impressive
run in Blaine, earning the Pointstreak Peak Performer award for the 18U
Division.
Finkhouse (6’0/152) began the event with a two goal performance in a
4-1 win over the Pursuit of Excellence. After going scoreless in a 2-1
win over San Jose, Finkhouse scored another goal in a big 4-2 win over a
hot New Jersey Jr. Titans team. Finkhouse not only was looked upon to
try and score, but also shut down one of the other contenders for the
18U award in New Jersey’s Nikita Samoylov. The next game was a match-up
against the high-powered Pittsburgh Viper Stars, who were 3-0 at the
event heading into the game with West Michigan. The game went to a
shootout where Finkhouse scored the shootout-winning goal in a dramatic
2-1 win. That momentum carried into the next game as Finkhouse exploded
for 7 points (4 goals and 3 assists) in a 9-1 win over the Atlanta
Fire. The seven points in one game was an NAPHL season-high in the 18U
Division.
Because of his performance in Blaine, Finkhouse now ranks tied for
2nd in goals in the 18U Division with 12 and ranks 3rd in points with
22. Hounds 18U head coach Mark Lawrence said that the
entire team bought in and played well in Blaine. “I think we were able
to have success in Blaine because it was an entire team effort. Our
goaltending was good, our defense played well and guys like Collin up
front scored some big and timely goals. We played in some very tight
and close games and the guys were able to respond mentally. You can
never have a game off in the NAPHL and I thought that Collin did a good
job of providing the leadership we needed.”
“Collin is the type of forward that excels when he is in one-on-one
situations. He has a lot of craftiness to him and is a creator with the
puck. He also sees the ice very well. He is our go-to guy and he has
been very consistent,” said Lawrence. “I think the next step for Collin
is being able to battle against anyone and become a more physical
player because that is what it is going to take at the next level like
juniors. But, he is a pure goal scorer and that will allow him to fit
in very well at the next level because everyone needs a player that is
able to put the puck in the net.”
As for interest in Finkhouse from scouts, Lawrence said that the past
few events have seen the interest in Finkhouse start to rise and
hopefully he and the Hounds can continue their solid play. “I think
Collin and the team responded to some tough games in Blaine and looking
ahead I think they will face the same challenges at the event in Dallas,
so hopefully they can keep getting better.”
MIDGET MINOR (16U) POINTSTREAK PEAK PERFORMER-Nathan Churchill, goaltender, Omaha AAA
For all the firepower and talent that the Omaha AAA Hockey Club
16U team has on the offensive side, it is perhaps in goal where they
may be strongest and feature some of the best talent. One of their two
goalies is 16-year-old Nathan Churchill, this month’s
Pointstreak Peak Performer in the 16U Division. The native of
Lafayette, California, has strung together a remarkable season to date
for the undefeated Omaha 16U team and shows no signs of slowing down
judging by his performance at the most recent NAPHL Showcase in Blaine,
Minnesota, from November 30-December 3.
It the simplest terms, Churchill was perfect and has been perfect for
the majority of the NAPHL season. Churchill (6’2/170) played in half
the team’s games while in Blaine and did not allow a goal in 127+
minutes of action. He faced 51 shots while in Blaine and made 51
saves. He started and posted shutouts in wins over Wenatchee (5-0) and
Pursuit of Excellence (4-0). He also played half the game in a 7-0 win
over the Detroit Falcons. As a matter of fact, Churchill hasn’t allowed
a goal in NAPHL competition since September 14th. Heading into the
next NAPHL event in McKinney/Frisco, Texas, he is riding a shutout
streak of 314 minutes and 35 seconds, which is one of the more
eye-popping goaltending statistics in the four-year history of the
league.
For the team with the highest scoring offense in the 16U Division, Omaha 16U head coach David Wilkie says
that the biggest strength of the team may be its defense, led by
Churchill in goal. In 13 games, Omaha has allowed just 11 goals with
Churchill giving up just three of those all season. “We pride ourselves
on being a team that is tough to score on and we feel that starts with
our goaltending,” said Wilkie. “I think when it comes down to the tough
games and key moments in those games you need to have the confidence
that your goaltender is going to make the big saves and that’s what a
guy like Nathan has done this season.” Churchill tried out for the 16U
team in the hopes of gaining the exposure he was looking for through
Omaha’s rapidly developing program and rigorous schedule, which includes
all the NAPHL events as a full-time league member. “I think Nathan was
seeking more exposure and to get the best opportunity to get to the
junior level. I know he is a player that would like to follow the
collegiate path.”
Wilkie said that despite being just 16-years-old, Churchill has
strengths in many areas. “Nathan has very solid fundamentals, he is
very athletic and he is very competitive. Those are all things you want
in your goaltender. We have a team that has a lot of talent in front
of him, so we have focused on Nathan being the right position to make
the first save and then be in control and the rebounds after that.” As
for what may be next for Churchill, Wilkie says that he fully expects
the goaltender to be playing junior hockey as a 17-year-old next
season. “I think he is that far along and talented to be able to make a
high level junior team next season and be able to make an impact.
Statistically speaking I think that the top goalies from the NAPHL have
fared very well playing the next season in leagues like the NAHL, so
hopefully he gets that opportunity.”
The fifth NAPHL event of the 2012-13 season will take place from
December 27-30 at the Dr Pepper StarCenters in Frisco and McKinney,
Texas and will feature all 36 teams in the NAPHL and in addition six
teams competing in the Bantam Tournament Series (BTS). The NAPHL is
comprised of seven regular-season events leading up to its Championship
Tournament Series in which the top teams at each level compete for a
league championship. The PHL season concludes with its Top Prospects
Tournament, which will be held in conjunction with the NAHL Robertson
Cup Championship Tournament in May 2013.
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
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