Boys High School Hockey Players of the Week: Dec. 26-Jan. 1 (presented by Lawrence Tech Hockey)
The
Michigan High School Hockey Coaches’ Association and Lawrence Tech Hockey have teamed up to create new players of the week and players of the month awards, and they have formed a selection committee to help with the process.
Each week, the committee members will take the top nominated players by their respective coaches and high school programs and rank the individual performances. From there, players will be selected from their respective divisions as ‘players of the week.’
MiHockey’s Michael Caples and Stefan Kubus are two of the committee members.
Announced Wednesday, here are the latest Lawrence Tech Hockey High School Players of the Week (for games played from Dec. 26 – Jan.1). Winners per region are in bold, honorable mentions are in italics.
North Region: Chris Lemire, Senior Forward, Escanaba
Lemire scored 5 goals in 3 games as Escanaba traveled to Wisconsin. Lemire and the Eskymos would end the trip on a high note winning the tournament with a 3-0 record. Escanaba will play their first game of 2017 on Friday, January 13 as they take on the Bay Area Reps.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Johnson (Senior Defenseman, Calumet)
South Region: N/A
There were no games played by South Region teams during the week of December 26.
Central Region: Sam Spaedt, Senior Forward, Saginaw Heritage
Sam Spaedt had a huge week for the Hawks scoring 3 goals and 5 assists. Spaedt’s efforts led Saginaw Heritage to a 3-0 record in Traverse City defeating Traverse City West, Traverse City Central, and Salem. Spaedt and the Hawks travel to Rochester, MI on Friday, January 6 to take on Rochester Stoney Creek.
Honorable Mention: Russell Daavettila (Junior Forward, Howell)
West Region: Nicko Withey, Senior Forward, Forest Hills Central
Nicko scored 3 goals and 1 assist in Forest Hills Central’s 6-1 win over Mona Shores. Nicko would nfollow that effort up by adding a goal and an assist in FHC’s 6-3 win over rival Forest Hills Northern-Eastern. Forest Hills Central is currently ranked 6th in Division 3. Forest Hills Central will play their first game of 2017 on Friday, January 6 when they host Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Honorable Mention: Wyatt Radakovitz (Senior Forward, Forest Hills Northern-Eastern)
Metro East Region: Michael Rittner, Senior Forward, Rochester United
Rittner had a huge week for Rochester United scoring 5 goals and 5 assists in three games. Rittner and RU defeated Utica Eisenhower (5-3) and Garber Duke Bay Area Thunder (10-2). They would lose a nail biter to the reigning Division 2 State Champions, Romeo. Rochester United will host Berkley on Saturday, January 7 for their first game of the New Year.
Honorable Mention: Brett Lanski (Senior Forward, Romeo)
Metro West Region: Brendan Olepa, Junior Goaltender, Plymouth
Olepa stopped 19 shots to shutout rival Canton and end 2016 with a 6-0-0 record. Olepa and the Wildcats are currently ranked 3rd in Division 2 with Plymouth posting an impressive 8-0-0 record. The Wildcats will travel to the Upper Peninsula on Friday, January 6 for games against Alpena and Sault Ste Marie.
Honorable Mention: Matthew Schaumburger (Senior Forward, Salem)
Metro North Region: N/A
There were no games played by South Region teams during the week of December 26.
Metro South Region: Jacob Nelson, Sophomore Forward, Temperance Bedford
Jacob Nelson ended 2016 in a strong way, scoring 3 goals and 3 assists in Temperance Bedford’s two games. Temperance Bedford will host Monroe United on Saturday, January 7.
Honorable Mention: Jason Tyer (Senior Defenseman, Dearborn Unified)