FRISCO, TEXAS – The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Three Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending February 26, 2012. The Three Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2011-12 regular season that honors the top performing players each week of the regular season as nominated by their respective teams.
1st Star: Cameron Dimmitt, forward, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
This past week was a perfect example of why Cleveland forward Cameron Dimmitt, 19, currently leads the 3HL in scoring with 71 points to date. The native of Howell, Michigan completed the final portion of the 3HL East Showcase in style by recording eight points (1 goal, 7 assists) in three games, which were all wins for the Jacks. After going scoreless in a 3-1 win against Michigan on Monday, Dimmitt (5’11/190) factored in on every Cleveland goal (game-winning goal, 3 assists) in a 4-1 win over Toledo. The next day, Dimmitt recorded another four point game (four assists) in a 6-0 win over Battle Creek. “What has been most encouraging for us as a team is that Cameron has found different ways to produce and with different players and linemates all season long,” said Cleveland head coach Bob Jacobson. “He quickly found chemistry with his new line and has been very consistent all season.”
2nd Star: Mike MacKinnon, forward, Metro Jets
Troy, Michigan native Mike MacKinnon, 19, earned his second straight 3HL three stars award by continuing what he started at the 3HL east Showcase this past week. In five games this past week, MacKinnon record nine points (3 goals, 6 assists), which included a weekend sweep of Pittsburgh. MacKinnon finished the 3HL East Showcase with three points in three games from Monday-Wednesday, but his big production came over the weekend against the Jr. Penguins. On Saturday, MacKinnon (6’1/195) had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win. On Sunday, MacKinnon exploded for two goals and two assists in a 7-3 win. “Mike has been our most consistent player all season long,” said Jets head coach Jason Cirrone. “He has developed into an all-around player because of his attention to both ends of the ice.”
3rd Star: Matt Grove, goaltender, Granite City Lumberjacks
The Granite City Lumberjacks clinched the 3HL’s West Division over the weekend and a big reason why was the play of goaltender Matt Grove, 21. The native of Crookston, Minnesota helped the Lumberjacks win three games over the weekend, allowing just three goals in those three games and posting a save percentage of over 95%. On Friday, Grove (6’0/220) posted an 18-save, 5-0 shutout of the Minnesota Flying Aces. On Saturday, Grove was solid again stopping 22 of 23 shots as the Lumberjacks beat the Twin City Steel, 4-1. Then on Sunday, Grove made 20 saves in a 6-2 win over the North Iowa Bulls. Grove has had a tremendous season, leading the 3HL in wins (28) and goals against average (1.55). “We have leaned on Matt all year and the wins this weekend were big because they all came against our division rivals,” said Granite City head coach Brad Willner. “He kept us in the games early and always gave us a chance to win. Some of his saves changed the momentum of the games.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical order): Trevor Anderson, forward, Queen City Steam – Ethan Baker, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Mike Baker, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Anthony Caroselli, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames – Peter Coppola, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames – Cody Damon, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Mitch Fernsler, goaltender, St. Louis Jr. Blues – James Koonce, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Andy Lay, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Steve Lecey, defenseman, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Joey Lioy, forward, Battle Creek Jr. Revolution – David Mnatsyan, defenseman, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Paul O’Connor, defenseman, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Joe Olen, goaltender, Chicago Hitmen –Michael Parda, goaltender, Peoria Mustangs – Steven Sadowsky, defenseman, Battle Creek Jr. Revolution – Zac Sikich, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – James Steele, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Matt Stirling, forward, Metro Jets – Alexander Turin, forward, Peoria Mustangs – Nico Vecchio, forward, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Collin Warner, forward, Chicago Hitmen – Eric Woodward, forward, Queen City Steam.
About the 3HL
Now in its second season, the North American 3 Hockey League (3HL), one of six USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior leagues, serves as one of the top training grounds in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes in its classification. The primary mission of the 3HL, which is managed organizationally by the North American Hockey League (NAHL), is to provide a structured developmental environment for student-athletes whose youth options are limited but are still reaching their potential and have aspirations of playing in the NAHL or United States Hockey League and eventually the NCAA or American College Hockey Association. For more information, visitwww.na3hl.com.