NAPHL announces Apex Learning 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 NAPHL event of the season, which took place at the Troy Sports Center in Troy, Michigan from January 7-10, 2016.
18U Apex Peak Performer (Offense) – Tristan Ashbrook, Omaha AAA
As Omaha was locking up the 18U regular season title, forward Tristan Ashbrook, 17, played a big role in helping the team go 5-0 at the final regular season event of the season and secure the #1 seed heading into the playoffs. The native of Manistique, MI, totaled 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in the five games, which also included two game-winning goals. Ashbrook (5’10/175), who has already signed an NAHL tender agreement with the Bismarck Bobcats, recorded a multi-point game in all five games while playing at the event in Troy. He had a four-point game in a 7-1 win against Green Bay and a three-point effort in a 4-1 win over Thunder Bay. He had two goals, including the game-winner in a 4-0 shutout of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. While at the event Ashbrook also played in the 18U All-Star Game, where he had two goals for Team Easton. For the season, Ashbrook finished with 39 points, which ranked 3rd among 18U players during the 2015-16 regular season.
#2 Star: Ryan Leibold, Washington Little Capitals
#3 Star: Jaden Anderson, Omaha AAA
18U Apex Peak Performer (Defense) – Brendon Gysbers, Omaha AAA
Also playing a big role in Omaha’s 5-0 record and 1st place standing in Troy was 18-year-old defenseman Brendon Gysbers. The native of Fon Du Lac, WI, recorded at least a point in all five wins as he totaled seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in the five games. Gysbers (6’1/190), who is a tender of the NAHL’s New Jersey Titans, had at least a goal in four of the five wins, which also included a three-point, two-goal game in an 11-0 win over San Diego. For the season, Gysbers led all NAPHL 18U defensemen in scoring during the 2015-16 regular season with 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 25 games played.
#2 Star: Jack Kosinski, New Jersey Jr. Titans
#3 Star: Collin Rewerts, Meijer AAA
18U Apex Peak Performer (Goaltender) – Rett Rook, California Titans
For the second straight event, California Titans 18U goalie Rett Rook, 17, was the backbone of the Titans defense, helping the team secure a playoff spot in the NAPHL Championship in February. Rook (5’9/190) was in goal for four of the five games and put together a record of 3-0-1 during the event. The native of Camrose, Alberta, faced a total of 137 shots and made 133 saves, allowing just four goals in the four games, which was also good for a 1.00 goals against average and a 97.1% save percentage. Rook made 24 saves in a 1-0 shutout of Arizona, followed by 34 saves in a 2-1 win over St. Louis. He then made 40 saves in a 3-1 win over the Washington Little Capitals followed by 35 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss against the Philadelphia Little Flyers. During the 2015-16 regular season, Rook led the 18U Division in saves, shots faced and ranked tied for 4th in save percentage with a 93.5% mark.
#2 Star: Jeremy Swayman, Pikes Peak Miners
#3 Star: Gavin Hubbard, Omaha AAA
16U Apex Peak Performer (Offense) – Kyle Kawamura, Omaha AAA
It was an event to remember for Omaha 16U forward Kyle Kawamura. The 16-year-old from Franklin, TN, put up some eye-popping numbers as Omaha claimed the 16U regular season title with a perfect 5-0 record in Troy and 24-1 record overall. Kawamura (5’7/160) racked up an incredible 19 points (12 goals, 7 assists) in five games and also scored four of the five game-winning goals the team had at the event. Kawamura had at least three points in each of the five games, including one four-point game and a six-point game. He scored the game-winning goals in wins over Green Bay, Washington, Esmark and San Diego. Kawamura also had hat-trick’s in the wins over Green Bay, Esmarck and San Diego. In just 20 games played this season, Kawamura had 36 points, which ranked him tied for 3rd on the Omaha roster. The 16U NAPHL All-Star also had 19 goals, which ranked him 4th among all 16U NAPHL players.
#2 Star: Kyle Jeffers, New Jersey Jr. Titans
#3 Star: Gavin Gulash, New Jersey Jr. Titans
16U Apex Peak Performer (Defense) – Coltan Wilkie, Omaha AAA
Omaha 16U defenseman Coltan Wilkie, 15, had a breakout event in Troy as he helped his Omaha 16U team to a perfect 5-0 record at the event and the 16U regular season title with a 24-1 record. The native of Omaha, NE, had eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in the five games and recorded at least a point in all five wins. Wilkie (5’9/170) had two, multi-point games, which included two assists in a 7-2 win over Philadelphia and a goal and two assists in a 10-0 win over San Diego. Wilkie also had a goal in a 7-0 win over Green Bay. For the season, Wilkie, who is the son of Omaha head coach David Wilkie, had 17 points in 25 games played during the regular season. Seven of his 17 points came during the event in Troy.
#2 Star: Julian Kislin, New Jersey Jr. Titans
#3 Star: Luc Salem, California Titans
16U Apex Peak Performer (Goaltender) – Nicholas Kaltala, California Titans
Thanks to a huge effort in Troy, the California Titans 16U team and goalie Nicholas Kaltala, 16, were able to secure a playoff spot in the upcoming NAPHL Championship. The native of Helsinki, Finland, backstopped the Titans in four of the five games and put together some great numbers. Kaltala (6’3/181) played a total of 204 minutes, posting a 3-0-1 record and allowed just three goals on 104 total shots. Kaltala stopped all 23 shots that came his way in a 4-0 win over San Diego, which was then followed by 27 saves in a 5-1 win over the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders. In his third game, he made another 27 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss against the Washington Little Capitals and in his final game, he made 24 saves in a 10-1 win over the Everett Jr. Silvertips. During the 2015-16 regular season, Kaltala posted a 10-4-1 record with a 2.37 goals against average and a 92.0% save percentage for the playoff-bound Titans.
#2 Star: Jake Kucharski, Esmark Stars
#3 Star: Thomas Walker, New Jersey Jr. Titans
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 final NAPHL event of the 2015-16 season will be the 2016 NAPHL Championship, which will take place from February 12-15, 2016 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which will feature the top 20 NAPHL teams (the top 10 from each division) who have qualified for the playoffs.
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.
