Peter Thome Earns Runner-Up Honors

Dec 4, 2015

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of November.  The Easton Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month is Austin Albrecht from the Wichita Falls Wildcats.  The Easton Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month is Cameron Clarke from the Lone Star Brahmas.  The Vaughn NAHL Goaltender of the Month is Justin Kapelmaster from the Wichita Falls Wildcats.  Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NAHL monthly awards.

 

Easton Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Austin Albrecht, Wichita Falls Wildcats

Wichita Falls Wildcats forward Austin Albrecht, 19, had a dominant month of November as he led the 1st place Wildcats to a 8-2-0 record in 10 games. The native of Flemington, New Jersey, had 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) during the month and was also a +7. Albrecht (6’0/185) recorded at least a point in nine of the 10 games he played in November and had five multi-point games. The multi-point games included three-point efforts in wins over Odessa on November 20thand November 28th. The second-year forward leads the Wildcats in scoring this season with 31 points in 23 games played, which also ranks him tied for 3rdoverall in NAHL scoring. “Austin’s maturation and development as a person and player have been instrumental in him being a driving force in our success up to this point. He plays a 200-foot game with and without the puck on a consistent basis and has been rewarded with not only points, but trust from his teammates and coaches. We believe Austin will make a positive impact at the NCAA Division I level,” said Wildcats General Manager Paul Baxter.

“First and foremost, I play with very two good linemates in Jonathan Lazarus and Nick Rosa, so without them, I don’t experience the type of success that I have had this season,” said Albrecht. “Things have just been clicking lately, but we as a team can’t sit back and be happy with it. We have to make sure we keep it going all season long. We have to play Lone Star six times in a row, so that is the immediate focus.  After that, I want to win a Robertson Cup and play well enough so that a NCAA Division I opportunity is in the longer term future.”

Runner-Up: Luke Lynch, Johnstown Tomahawks 

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Andrew Ballant, Aston Rebels – Alex Berardinelli, Lone Star Brahmas – Todd Burgess, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Sam Craggs, Springfield Jr. Blues – Pierce Crawford, Minnesota Magicians – Taylor Fernandez, Janesville Jets – Derek Frentz, Minot Minotauros – Jack Gessert, Kenai River Brown Bears – Mikael Hakkarainen, Brookings Blizzard – Adam Hascic, New Jersey Titans – Carter Johnson, Corpus Christi IceRays – Carson Knop, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights – Johan Lundgren, Amarillo Bulls – Carter Roo, Aberdeen Wings – Alex Strand, Bismarck Bobcats – Cam Strong, Topeka RoadRunners

 

Easton Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Cameron Clarke, Lone Star Brahmas

Lone Star Brahmas defenseman and Ferris State University recruit Cameron Clarke, 19, had a big month of November as he led the Brahmas in scoring during the month from the blueline with nine points in seven games played as the Brahmas posted a 6-1-1 record to remain one of the top teams in the NAHL. Clarke (6’2/180) had two goals and seven assists and was a +1 during the month. The native of Tecumseh, Michigan, had points in six of the seven games he played in during the month and had three multi-point games. His 16 points currently ranks tied for 4th in scoring for all NAHL defensemen. “Cam has a huge offensive upside, which allows him to be a complete defenseman. He jumps into the play to give an advantage with a four-man rush up the ice and he can get shots through from the point,” said Lone Star head coach Dan Wildfong. ‘He is a very good 200-foot player, which tells us that he is taking care if things equally at both ends of the ice. He is working on being a complete player so by the time he does go to Ferris State, he will be a guy that can make an immediate impact.”

“I think our coaches have put a great system in place for playing solid team defense and that gives us a great chance to be successful on a game-by-game basis. We have a great team, so it makes it all the easier to make decisions and create offensive opportunities,” said Clarke. “My goals are to get myself ready to play in the NCAA. I have to be solid defensively, first and foremost. That will lead into more offensive opportunities as time goes on, but being a solid defenseman is something I will want to try and improve every game leading up to the next phase of my hockey career.”

Runner-Up: TJ Samec, Brookings Blizzard

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kristofers Bindulis, Aston Rebels – Simon Butala, Corpus Christi IceRays – Ryan Cook, Aberdeen Wings – Dorian Dawson, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights – Patrick Demel, Bismarck Bobcats – Tony DeVito, New Jersey Titans – Jeff Fasegha, Kenai River Brown Bears – James LaDouce, Minot Minotauros – Kyle Meeh, Springfield Jr. Blues – Joe Nathe, Minnesota Magicians – Ryan O’Connor, Topeka RoadRunners – Michael Rounds, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Andrew Roye, Janesville Jets – Jakob Stridsberg, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

 

Vaughn NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Justin Kapelmaster, Wichita Falls Wildcats

Like his teammate and NAHL Forward of the Month, Austin Albrecht, Wichita Falls Wildcats goalie Justin Kapelmaster, 20, was a key factor behind the success of the team during the month of November. Kapelmaster (6’1/195), who was runner-up for goalie of the month honors in October, had another outstanding month as he put together a 5-1-0 record with a 2.12 goals against average and a 92.6% save percentage. He faced a total of 190 shots in seven appearances and made 176 saves. That included being named the South Division Star of the Week during the last weekend in November, when he allowed just one goal in two games. For the season, the native of Coral Springs, Florida, leads the NAHL in wins with 13, is 2nd in save percentage at 93.2% and 3rd in goals against average at 1.79. “After losing both goalies to NCAA Division I college hockey last season, we worked hard to find a tandem that would help us reach the top level. Justin, along with his partner Julian Sime, has met the expectations of the coaching staff and his teammates with flying colors up to this point. Justin is a hard competitor with excellent skills and size, and he gives us a good opportunity to win every night. "It is our belief that Justin will be a positive addition to the NCAA Division I college he chooses next year,” said Wildcats General Manager Paul Baxter.

Kapelmaster said that the month of November was a successful team effort. “The team has been clicking and playing really well, which is always a big help. It gives you a lot of confidence to know we are bolstered by a team that can produce a lot of offense. I have been really feeling really composed and calm in net and trying to limit the opponents chances with better rebound control. I have a great relationship with our other goalie, Julian Sime, and I think we feed off one another.  It is good and healthy competition and I think it drives us to both be better. I just hope to continue my good play to help my team win. It is eventually my main goal to commit to an NCAA Division I school, but I just have to remain focused on playing well,” said Kapelmaster.

Runner-Up: Peter Thome, Aberdeen Wings

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Graham Hunt, Corpus Christi IceRays – Tyler Johnson, Topeka RoadRunners – Josh Kuehmichel, Brookings Blizzard – Jack LaFontaine, Janesville Jets – Anton Martinsson, Amarillo Bulls – Lucas Murray, Minot Minotauros – Tommy Nappier, Springfield Jr. Blues – Nick Nast, Kenai River Brown Bears – Gavin Nieto, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Conor O’Brien, Lone Star Brahmas – Hunter Shepard, Bismarck Bobcats – Will Ulrich, Minnesota Magicians – Grant Valentine, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights

 

About Easton

Easton Hockey continues to rank atop the industry in sticks and gloves and is growing faster in skates than any other company. It also offers a comprehensive collection of protective gear including helmets and pants. To learn more, go to www.eastonhockey.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.comThe