NAPHL announces Apex Learning Peak Performers for November
The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) announced its Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performers for the month of November. The players were selected based upon their performance at the third NAPHL event of the season, which took place at the Iceworks Arena in Aston, Pennsylvania from November 13-16.
18U Apex Peak Performer (Offense) – Kevin Ford, Madison Capitols
Forward Kevin Ford helped the Madison Capitols stay in 1st place in the 18U Division with a great effort during the third event of the season in Aston, PA. The 18-year-old native of Waunakee, WI, was able to chime in with nine points in five games as Madison posted a 4-0-1 record during the event. Ford (5’8/165) recorded at least a point in all five games and had two multi-point games. His totals included five goals and four assists. He began the event by scoring the lone goal, which was also the game-winner, in a 1-0 win over Arizona. The next day, he added two goals, including another game-winner, and two assists in a 6-2 win over Thunder Bay. Later that day, Ford had both goals in regulation in a 3-2 shootout loss against Esmark. He followed that up with assists in both wins over Rocky Mountain and New Jersey. In just nine games this season with Madison, Ford has recorded 13 points.
#2 Star: Jacob Tomita, Philadelphia Little Flyers
#3 Star: Ryan Leibold, Washington Little Capitals
18U Apex Peak Performer (Defense) – Alec Cordova, Washington Little Capitals
Thanks to a 3-1-1 record in Aston, the Washington Little Capitals are in good position to make the playoffs. Defenseman Alec Cordova, 17, was a factor from the blueline as the native of Woodbridge, VA, totaled five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in the five games and managed to record at least a point in four of the five outings. Cordova (5’10/160) opened the event with two assists in a 4-0 shutout win over Omaha, which was the Little Caps biggest win to date. In the next game, he added an assist in a 5-2 win over HC Dallas. He had another assist in a shootout loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and he wrapped up the event with a goal in a 6-3 win over San Diego. In 15 games played so far this season in the NAPHL, Cordova has seven points.
#2 Star: Wyatt McLeod, Pursuit of Excellence
#3 Star: Shayne Monahan, Omaha AAA
18U Apex Peak Performer (Goaltender) – William Lowe III, Esmark Stars
The Esmark Stars have had a long line of goalies to shine and advance to the next level and current 18U netminder William Lowe III may be the next one. The 17-year-old native of Bethel Park, PA, shined for the Stars during the event in Aston as they posted a 3-1-1 record to remain in solid playoff position. Lowe (5’10/170) got the start in three of the five games and allowed just three goals during that span, ultimately stopping 58 of 61 shots, which was good for a 95% save percentage. He opened the event with a 12-save shutout against Wenatchee. The next day, he made 17 saves in a 3-2 shootout win over Madison where he also stopped three of four shooters in the extra session. His final game may have been his best as he made 29 saves in a 1-0 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Lowe ranks 3rd in the NAPHL 18U Division with a 1.36 goals against average and is tied for 5th in save percentage with a 93.1% mark.
#2 Star: Alex Chen, Washington Little Capitals
#3 Star: Hunter Smith, HC Dallas
16U Apex Peak Performer (Offense) – Kaid Oliver, Arizona Bobcats
The Arizona Bobcats got right back in the thick of the 16U playoff race thanks to a 4-1 record at the event in Aston. Forward Kaid Oliver, 15, shined at the event as he led the Bobcats with 11 points in the five games, which included seven goals and four assists. He also recorded at least a point in all five games. The native of White Rock, BC, began the event with an incredible four-goal effort in a 7-1 win over Pursuit of Excellence. The next day, Oliver (5’11/170) had an assist in a 5-3 loss against Esmark. Later that day, he had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Everett. In his fourth game, Oliver had a goal in an 8-1 win against St. Louis. He finished the event with the game-winning goal and two assists in a 5-0 shutout of the Washington Little Capitals. Oliver is 2nd on the team in scoring this season with 15 points in just 11 games played.
#2 Star: Austin Nault, Omaha AAA
#3 Star: Sammy Steele, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
16U Apex Peak Performer (Defense) – Jackson Decker, Omaha AAA
Another perfect and dominating event for the Omaha AAA 16U team helped them stay atop the 16U Division and the team keeps finding different personnel and depth to get the job done. In Aston, they were helped by the play of defenseman Jackson Decker. The 16-year-old native of Chicago, IL, helped Omaha to a perfect 5-0 record at the event as they allowed their opponents just five goals in the five games. Decker (5’9/160) had seven points from the blueline in the five wins, which included two goals and five assists. In the opening game, he picked up a pair of assists in a 4-1 win over Madison. In the next game, he had a goal and an assist in a 9-1 win over Pursuit of Excellence. In the third game, he recorded an assist in a 6-2 win over Valley Forge and in the final game, he had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over the California Titans. In 12 games played this season, Decker has 11 points.
#2 Star: Shane Miller, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
#3 Star: Julian Kislin, New Jersey Jr. Titans
16U Apex Peak Performer (Goaltender) – Francisco Clark Silva, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders
Another big mover in the 16U Division was the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, who also posted a 5-0 record at the event in Aston. Although both goalies Francisco Clark Silva and Andrew Miller shared in the wins, it was Clark Silva, who was literally perfect. The 16-year-old native of Boulder, CO did not give up a single goal in either one of his two appearances as he helped the RoughRiders to the perfect record. What made it more impressive was the fact he did it in 1-0 games. On the second day of the event, Clark Silva (6’3/200) stopped all 25 shots that came his way in a shutout of the Philadelphia Little Flyers. A day later, he stopped all 29 shots that came his way in a 1-0 win over the Washington Little Capitals. In total, he stopped all 54 shots that came his way during the weekend. Clark Silva’s 92.8% save percentage currently ranks 4th in the 16U Division.
#2 Star: Scott Adams, Thunder Bay Kings
#3 Star: Maiszon Balboa, Pikes Peak Miners
The NAPHL is comprised of five regular-season events leading up to its Championship Tournament Series in which the top teams in each division compete for a league championship. The fourth NAPHL event of the 2015-16 season will take place from December 4-7, 2015 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota, which will feature all 40 NAPHL teams, along with the NAPHL 16U All-Star Game on Sunday, December 6th.
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.
