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 November 20, 2011. 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: Peter Lindblad, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
This is the second time this season that Peter Lindblad, 20, has been honored as the 3HL’s #1 star of the week. He earned the honors this week thanks to a five-point week and two more convincing wins from the Lumberjacks. On Friday, the native of Benson, Minnesota recorded a hat-trick, which included an even-strength, shorthanded and power play goal in a 7-0 road win against Twin City. Saturday, Lindblad chipped in with two assists, including one on the game-tying goal early in the 3rd period in a 7-3 home win over Minnesota. Lindblad has been on a tear the last 10 games, scoring in all but one and registering 17 points in that time span. “Peter had a great weekend without one of his regular linemates and has stayed remarkably consistent,” remarked Lumberjacks head coach Brad Willner.
2nd Star: Joe Olen, goaltender, Chicago Hitmen
Although he appeared in just one game over the weekend, Joe Olen, 18, was perfect in his performance as he and the Hitmen shutout the Quad City Jr. Flames on Sunday, 2-0. Olen made 10 of his 21 total saves in the 2nd period and shut the door on all six Jr. Flames power plays. Sunday’s performance continues a string of recent strong outings for the Lake Zurich, Illinois native, who has allowed just two goals in his last three games. “Joe has been very steady all season long,” said Hitmen head coach Brent Dolan. “He doesn’t have bad games and one of his best attributes is his consistency. The guys play with a lot of confidence when he is in goal.”
3rd Star: Kyle Parker, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats
Michigan Mountain Cats forward Kyle Parker has five points this season, but four of those points came this past weekend as the 18-year-old from Metamora, Michigan scored two goals and added two assists for four points in Michigan’s weekend sweep of Battle Creek. Parker’s first goal of the season came during the Mountain Cats win on Friday night. On Saturday night, he added another goal and two assists as Michigan completed the sweep over Battle Creek. “Kyle works very hard and is a kid who comes to play every night,” said Mountain Cats head coach Chad Grills. “It is nice to see him rewarded because he puts in the time and is a great leader.”
Other players nominated were (alphabetical order): Mike Baker, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Andrew Carlson, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Jeremy Edwards, forward, Chicago Hitmen – John Jeziorowski, forward, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – Ryan Kelly, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Kenny Miloser, defenseman, Flint Jr. Generals – Ben Myers, goaltender, Flint Jr. Generals – Trevor Voelker, forward, Queen City Steam – DJ Vold, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks.
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, visit www.na3hl.com.