NAHL announces monthly awards for March
March Winners: Coulee Region forward Caleb Schroer named Forward of the Month, Coulee Region defenseman Steven Quagliata named Defenseman of the Month and Fairbanks goalie Erik Gordon named Goaltender of the Month.
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of March. The Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month is Caleb Schroer from the Coulee Region Chill. The Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month is Steven Quagliata from the Coulee Region Chill. The Vaughn NAHL Goaltender of the Month is Erik Gordon from the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NAHL monthly awards.
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Caleb Schroer, Coulee Region Chill
It is tough to find a player who had a better month than Coulee Region forward Caleb Schroer, 20, had during the month of March for his club. The 5’9/168 lbs. native of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, racked up a whopping 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) during the 12 games in March as the Chill put together a 9-3-0 record and secured a Midwest Division playoff spot. Perhaps even more eye-popping than Schroer’s 23 points was his +16 rating. Schroer recorded at least a point in 10 of the 12 games and had seven multi-point games, including a stretch where he had 14 points in four games from March 4-16. His 64 points to date is currently 4th in NAHL scoring. “Caleb has had an absolutely fantastic second half of the year. He has taken his game to another level and has been a huge part of our team’s success the last few months. He is very deserving of this recognition and we look forward to seeing how far his leadership can take us into the playoffs,” said Chill head coach Ryan Egan.
“I think the team really got back on track and bonded with our trip to Alaska. It was good just to be on the road and not have a lot of distractions. My line also clicked as we have been together for a few months now and they really helped me play well,” said Schroer. “I think we have several guys on the team who are future NCAA Division I players and I strive to be a part of that group. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going into the playoffs and make a big push. After that, I am hopeful that an NCAA opportunity will present itself,” concluded Schroer.
Runner-Up: Ludwig Stenlund, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Altmann, Minnesota Wilderness – Matt Barry, Bismarck Bobcats – Tyler Bossert, Aberdeen Wings – Nick Bruce, Johnstown Tomahawks – Hampus Eriksson, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Alex Frye, Topeka RoadRunners – Carson Kelley, Lone Star Brahmas – Michael Maloney, Janesville Jets – George Mika, Amarillo Bulls – Brad Power, Corpus Christi IceRays – Brandon Puricelli, Springfield Jr. Blues – Nick Rosa, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Reid Stefanson, Minot Minotauros
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Steven Quagliata, Coulee Region Chill
The Coulee Region Chill hit a hot streak and clinched a playoff spot in the Midwest Division thanks to a 9-3-0 record in the month of March. Helping the cause was defenseman Steven Quagliata, 20, who is in his final season of playing junior hockey in the NAHL. Not only did Quagliata lead all NAHL blueliners in scoring during the month with 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) in 12 games, but he also put up a very nice +8 rating. The native of Bartlett, Illinois, recorded at least a point in eight of the 12 games and had three multi-point outings. March was also a month to remember for Quagliata as he made his NCAA commitment to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, an NCAA Division III school. “Steven has been a steady and productive presence on the blue line for us all season. He is continually getting better and proving he is an offensive threat each night. He is very deserving of the recognition and we are excited to see how far his experience will take us into the playoffs,” said Chill head coach Ryan Egan.
“We went through a drought in the middle of the season, but I can’t say enough about our team and they ways guys responded towards the second half of the season. We got contributions from everyone and that really helped me achieve the success I had in March,” said Quagliata. He also said that making his NCAA commitment recently took a lot of pressure off him as he just tries to focus on making his final months in the NAHL the best they can be. “Getting that NCAA commitment out of the way gives me one less thing to worry about. I think when we are playing our best, we are a tough team to beat, so I am excited for the playoffs and then the next stage of my career after that.”
Runner-Up: Benton Maass, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matt Barnes, Topeka RoadRunners – Luke Davison, Minot Minotauros – Cody Fleckenstein, Corpus Christi IceRays – Phil Fromberger, Amarillo Bulls – Jiei Halliday, Bismarck Bobcats – Chase Mickelson, Springfield Jr. Blues – Adam Roeder, Janesville Jets – Tristan Rostagno, Minnesota Wilderness – Jonathan Waring, Wichita Falls Wildcats – John Zimmerman, Lone Star Brahmas
Vaughn NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Erik Gordon, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Fairbanks Ice Dogs goalie Erik Gordon, 18, was the backbone of his team’s climb up the Midwest Division standings as the Ice Dogs moved into 2nd place in the division with a 9-1-0 record during the month of March. The native of Duluth, Georgia, was in goal for all but one of those games as Gordon (5’10/160) put together a 8-1-0 record, which included a 1.69 goals against average and a 93.2% save percentage. Gordon faced 222 shots during the month and came up with 207 saves. He also posted two shutouts during the month on March 17th and 18th as he earned Midwest Division Star of the Week honors. Since joining the Ice Dogs is early February, Gordon has put together some incredible numbers, which includes a 13-1-0 record, a 1.56 goals against average and a 94.4% save percentage. Gordon began the season playing for the Lone Star Brahmas and later had a brief stint in the USNTDP team in the USHL. “Erik provided confidence to his team throughout the month of March. He gives his team an opportunity to create results with each outing. He is proving to be a very good NCAA Division I prospect as we head in to the playoffs,” said Fairbanks head coach Trevor Stewart.
“The biggest thing was everyone buying in and really working hard to climb the standings. I think once we knew we were in the playoffs, we really took things to the next level and played with a little more freedom and had a little more fun,” said Gordon. “It has been a crazy year and I have been in a few places, but I have tried to remained focused and just contribute to wherever I have ended up. I want to help this team defend their Robertson Cup title and then after that, hopefully I can earn an NCAA opportunity.”
Runner-Up: Jake Barczewski, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brad Arvanitis, Coulee Region Chill – Nikita Babintsev, Amarillo Bulls – Jared Dempsey, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Jordan Greenfield-Flemon, Springfield Jr. Blues – Jonny Hogue, Odessa Jackalopes – Severi Isokangas, Bismarck Bobcats – Austin Park, Minot Minotauros – Forbes Ploszaj, Aberdeen Wings – Max Prawdzik, Lone Star Brahmas – Ryan Snowden, Topeka RoadRunners – Tomas Vomacka, Corpus Christi IceRays
About Bauer
Bauer Hockey is the world's most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer Hockey has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful SUPREME®, VAPOR® and NEXUS® lines of products. For more information, visit Bauer Hockey's website at www.BAUER.com.
About Vaughn
Vaughn is the official Goaltending Equipment Partner to the NAHL and serves as the Preferred Goaltending Equipment Supplier of the NA3HL and NAPHL. Founded in 1982, Vaughn became one of the first major hockey production companies to use multiple foam layers in equipment. As strictly a goalie equipment company, the main focus for Vaughn is the innovation and quality of their product. Visit Vaughn online at: www.vaughnhockey.com
