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NAHL announces All-Divisional Teams

The NAHL announced its All-Central, -North, -South and -West Division Teams for the 2008-09 season, as selected by the league’s coaches and general managers.


All-Central Division Team

Forward: Brandon Brodhag, North Iowa Outlaws

Forward: Jerry Freismuth, Alexandria Blizzard

Forward: Jack Paul, North Iowa Outlaws

Defenseman: John Clark, Bismarck Bobcats

Defenseman: Tim Smith, Owatonna Express

Goaltender: David Bosner, Bismarck Bobcats

 

All-North Division Team

Forward: Kyle Bonis, Traverse City North Stars

Forward: Chad Pietila, Marquette Rangers

Forward: Brandon Saad, Mahoning Valley Phantoms

Defenseman: Cullen Lundholm, Mahoning Valley Phantoms

Defenseman: Travis White, Traverse City North Stars

Goaltender: CJ Motte, Traverse City North Stars

 

All-South Division Team

Forward: Jon Gaffney, Springfield Jr. Blues

Forward: Jordan George, Topeka RoadRunners

Forward: Andrew Hamburg, St. Louis Bandits

Defenseman: Eric Artman, Topeka RoadRunners

Defenseman: Tyler Elbrecht, St. Louis Bandits

Goaltender: Keith Kinkaid, St. Louis Bandits

 

All-West Division Team

Forward: Austin Block, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Forward: Ryan Lemke, Kenai River Brown Bears

Forward: Mike Voran, Wenatchee Wild

Defenseman: Drew Darwitz, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Defenseman: Sean McNeely, Alaska Avalanche

Goaltender: Mathieu Dugas, Wenatchee Wild

 

2008-09 All-Rookie Team announced

The NAHL announced that Mahoning Valley Phantoms forward Brandon Saad has been named Rookie of the Year, along with its All-Rookie Team for the 2008-09 season. Saad, from Gibsonia, Pa., totaled 29 goals for 47 points in 47 regular-season games with the Phantoms. He was also a team-best plus-21.

“Brandon is the most well-rounded prospect I’ve coached, or even seen,” said Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt. “He pretty much can do it all. He’s very dominant physically, does a very good job defensively, wins battles, and, for a big man (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), has unbelievable agility.”

Saad, 16, was also a member of the U.S. National Under-17 Team that earned a bronze medal at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge held in Port Alberni, British Columbia, in December-January. He was named to the tournament’s all-star team after finishing tied for the team lead in scoring (four goals, five assists).

 

2008-09 NAHL All-Rookie Team

Forward: Trent Frey, Springfield Jr. Blues

Forward: Brandon Saad, Mahoning Valley Phantoms

Forward: Mike Voran, Wenatchee Wild

Defenseman: Brandon Burrell, Wenatchee Wild

Defenseman: Tim Smith, Owatonna Express

Goaltender: David Bosner, Bismarck Bobcats

 

Auction set to benefit Derek Zike

The North American Hockey League is holding an online auction of hockey memorabilia and more through eBay in which all proceeds will benefit the Derek Zike Special Needs Trust.

The auction will begin on Wednesday, May 20 – the day of the NAHL Entry Draft – and end on Saturday, May 30.

Derek, a ‘92 player with the Chicago Fury hockey team, was seriously injured during a game at a tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich., in January.

During the game, Derek attempted to make a turn and lost the edge of his skate, fell and crashed headfirst into the boards at a high rate of speed. Derek was not hit by anyone; it was quite simply the result of a lost edge while trying to turn.

Derek was seriously injured when he hit the boards. He sustained a burst fracture of the 5th cervical vertebrae, which in simple terms is a broken neck. Derek has been recovering in the intensive care unit at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor since the accident.

For more details on the auction, including a list of items that will be auctioned off, visit NAHL.com. To donate items for the auction, e-mail Brian McDonough at bmcdonough@nahl.com.

Learn more about Derek at DerekZike.com.

 

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