NAPHL announces Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performers for January
The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) announced its Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performers for the month of January. The players were selected based upon their performance at the fifth and final NAPHL regular season event of the season, which took place at the Troy Sports Center in Troy, Michigan from January 16-19, 2015.
18U Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer (Forward) – Richie McCartney, New Jersey Jr. Titans
Although he only played in 10 games during the second half of the season with the New Jersey 18U team, Jr. Titans forward Richie McCartney has made it count. The 18-year-old from Hershey, PA, was an offensive force for the Jr. Titans in Troy as they put together a 4-1 record at the event and secured the 5th spot in the standings and #5 seed in the playoffs. McCartney (5’10/170), who played in the final two NAPHL regular season events of the year, went off for 12 points in the five games in Troy, which included seven goals and five assists. McCartney had a hat-trick and an assist in the first game, a 4-1 win over Arizona. He also had two goals and an assist in wins over Minnesota and HC Dallas. In just 10 NAPHL games played this season, McCartney has 18 points, including 13 goals.
NAHL Event Scouting Report on McCartney: “A true power forward who can mix it up and score a lot of goals. He has a great skill set and is dangerous from top of circles in. He makes teammates better.”
#2 Star: Nico Blachman, Omaha AAA
#3 Star: Peter Hatton, HC Dallas
18U Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer (Defense) – Tyse Teague, Anaheim Jr. Ducks
18-year-old Anaheim Jr. Ducks 18U defenseman Tyse Teague (6’2/195) helped his squad to a 4-1 record at the final regular season event in Troy and earn the #2 seed for the upcoming NAPHL Championship Series in February with a 19-5 record during the regular season. The native of Murietta, CA, totaled seven points in the five games, which included three, multi-point games. Teague had a goal and an assist in wins over California and HC Dallas the first two days and also picked up two assists in an 8-1 win over Philadelphia. While at the event in Troy, Teague participated in the inaugural NAPHL 18U All-Star Game for Team White, who won the game. Teague finished tied for 3rd among all NAPHL 18U defensemen in scoring this season with 21 points and he also signed an NAHL tender with the Bismarck Bobcats.
NAHL Event Scouting Report on Teague: “A very solid two-way defenseman who can skate, pass and shoot. Wins a lot of 1-on-1 battles and gets a ton of ice time.”
#2 Star: Luke Boose, Pikes Peak Miners
#3 Star: Justin Riffel, Lansing Capitals
18U Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer (Goaltender) – Joseph Recktenwald, Esmark Stars
A big part of Esmark’s #1-ranked defense in the 18U Division is their goaltender and that was again the case at the last event in Troy, thanks in large part to 18-year-old goalie Joseph Recktenwald. The native of South Park, PA, played in three of Esmark’s five games during the event and won all three, allowing just four goals in the process. Recktenwald (5’11/155) faced a total of 94 shots and made 90 saves in the event, good for a 95.7% save percentage and a 1.33 goals against average. Recktenwald began the event by making 23 saves in a 5-1 win over HC Dallas. A day later, he made 31 saves in a 3-2 win over division-leading Madison and in the final day, he made a season-high 36 saves in a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. He is part of an Esmark team that gave up just 44 goals in 24 NAPHL games during the regular season.
NAHL Event Scouting Report on Recktenwald: “A very agile goalie who plays the angles well and competes hard. Plays with confidence and his team builds off that. Gave his team a chance each game played during weekend in Troy.”
#2 Star: Ricky Gonzalez, Lansing Capitals
#3 Star: Gennaro Anzevino, Philadelphia Little Flyers
16U Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer (Forward) – Jack Gates, Anaheim Jr. Ducks
Anaheim 16U forward and Colorado College commit Jack Gates was a big driving force behind Anaheim’s perfect 5-0 record in Troy, helping the team clinch the 2014-15 NAPHL 16U regular season title. The 16-year-old native of Oceanside, CA, totaled eight points in the five games, which included four goals and four assists. It helped Gates (5’7/145) finish second in NAPHL 16U scoring behind teammate Justin Dixson. Gates finished with 34 points in 20 games played. Gates had three multi-point games in Troy, including a three-point effort in a 7-0 win over HC Dallas. He also had the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over New Jersey. Earlier this season, Gates had a goal and an assist in the NAPHL 16U All-Star Game.
NAHL Event Scouting Report on Gates: “A strong skater who competes every shift. Very good on the forecheck and is around the puck a lot. Good play-making ability, finds open teammates and can finish.”
#2 Star: Zach Noble, New Jersey Jr. Titans
#3 Star: Brayden Watts, Arizona Bobcats
16U Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer (Defense) – Chad Sasaki, Anaheim Jr. Ducks
For the season time this season, Anaheim 16U defenseman Chad Sasaki, 16, has been named the 16U Peak Performer for Defensemen. The native of Cypress, CA, helped his team to a perfect 5-0 record while in Troy and claim the 2014-15 NAPHL 16U Regular Season title. Sasaki, who played in the NAPHL 16U All-Star Game earlier this season, recorded at least a point in all five of Anaheim’s wins in Troy. Sasaki (5’8/145) ended up leading all NAPHL 16U defensemen in scoring during the regular season with 21 points in 20 games played. He also signed an NAHL tender with the Coulee Region Chill earlier this season. Sasaki’s lone multi-point game came in a 7-0 win over HC Dallas.
NAHL Event Scouting Report on Sasaki: “Good agile, offensive minded defenseman also with good defensive skills. High hockey IQ and puck skills.”
#2 Star: Matts Thielmann, Esmark Stars
#3 Star: Calvon Boots, Pikes Peak Miners
16U Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer (Goaltender) – Noel Zuccaro, San Jose Jr. Sharks
In over two games of action and 127 minutes of game time, San Jose Jr. Sharks goalie Noel Zuccaro, 16, put together some great numbers and a great performance for his team at the last event in Troy. Although Zuccaro (5’10/145) has not played as many games or minutes as San Jose’s other goalie Jake Acton, Zuccaro has made his appearances count and did so again in Troy. In his opening game, the native of San Jose, CA, stopped all 21 shots that came his way for his first shutout of the season as San Jose blanked HC Dallas, 7-0. Zuccaro then came in halfway through the Jr. Sharks game against Omaha to stop all 8 shots he saw in a 2-0 loss and in his final game, he made 27 saves in a 2-1 loss to Madison. For the weekend, Zuccaro stopped 56 of 58 shots, good for a 96.6% save percentage and a .80 goals against average.
NAHL Event Scouting Report on Zuccaro: “Despite the record, has put up very respectable numbers. Quick and agile goalie, who made the most of his opportunity in Troy. Does a good job at challenging he shooter and doesn’t give up big numbers.”
#2 Star: Timothy Huxen, Anaheim Jr. Ducks
#3 Star: Logan Larock, Pursuit of Excellence
The NAPHL is comprised of five regular-season events leading up to its Championship Series in which the top teams in each division compete for a league championship. The sixth and final NAPHL event of the 2014-15 season is the NAPHL Championship Series which will take place from February 13-16, 2015 at the Troy Sports Center in Troy, Michigan. The event will feature all 32 NAPHL teams.
With more than 100 online high school courses and 20 years of experience, Apex Learning Virtual School offers players the opportunity to be both successful academically and available for practice and travel. Rigorous curriculum and the support of expert online teachers provide a strong academic foundation. The flexibility to complete online course work when and where it is convenient means school can fit with player's hockey commitments. Enrollment options include full time to earn a diploma and individual courses to fulfill specific requirements. For players wanting to qualify for Division I and Division III college teams, courses approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) are offered.
