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 in Troy, Michigan from January 6-9, 2017.

 

18U Apex Peak Performer (Offense) – Andy Willis, St. Louis Selects

Thanks to five wins in the final five regular season games of the year in Troy earlier this month, the St. Louis Selects capped off a remarkable regular season by claiming the NAPHL’s 18U regular season crown with a 18-3-1 record. Forward Andy Willis, 19, not only led his team in scoring, but finished 2^nd in the 18U Division in scoring with 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 22 games played. During the event in January, the 5’11/170 lbs. native of St. Louis, MO, led the charge with 14 points in 5 games. That included a seven-point game in a win over Arizona and a five-point game in a win over the Northern Cyclones. Earlier this season, Willis was selected to play in the NAPHL 18U All-Star Game for Team Dixon. He is currently tendered with the NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas.

#2 Star: Justin Meers, St. Louis Selects

#3 Star: Samir Abouelhana, St. Louis Selects

 

18U Apex Peak Performer (Defense) – Jared Kucharek, Meijer AAA

For the second time this season, Meijer AAA 18U defenseman Jared Kucharek, 18, has been honored as the 18U Defensive Peak Performer. The 6’3/195 lbs. native of Parma, OH, helped his team secure a spot in the Gold Division playoffs with a good showing in Troy in January. Kucharek, a tender of the NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas, recorded six points in the five games, which included 2 goals and 4 assists.  Kucharek had three points in a 6-1 win over Esmark and also scored a goal in a 3-0 shutout win over Washington. Kucharek played in the 2016 NAPHL All-Star Game for Team Dixon and finished tops among NAPHL 18U defensemen this season in scoring with 23 points in 22 regular season games.

#2 Star: Calvon Boots, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders

#3 Star: Ryan Lawrence, Meijer AAA

 

18U Apex Peak Performer (Goaltender) – Ryan Fanti, Thunder Bay Kings

Despite being just 17 years old, Thunder Bay Kings 18U goalie Ryan Fanti has had a very good season and it showed during the last event in Troy.  The 6’2/190 lbs. native of Thunder Bay, ON went a perfect 3-0 in Troy with two shutouts and stopped 59 of 60 shots in the three wins. Fanti’s performance helped the Kings secure one of the 10 spots in the NAPHL’s 18U Gold Division playoffs. Fanti picked up a 24-save shutout in a 1-0 shootout win over Washington and 21 saves in a 1-0 shutout win over Pursuit of Excellence. Fanti has allowed just one goal in a last four NAPHL appearances.

#2 Star: Preston Kostlan, Shattuck-St. Mary’s

#3 Star: Bryce Hanson, Madison Capitols

 

16U Apex Peak Performer (Offense) – Alex Konovalov, New Jersey Jr. Titans

New Jersey Jr. Titans 16U forward Alex Konovalov, 16, helped his club to a Gold Division playoff berth with an outstanding performance in Troy. The 5’11/175 lbs. native of Basking Ridge, NJ, registered 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) in five games during the event and recorded at least a point in all five games. Konovalov, who had a goal and an assist in the NAPHL 16U All-Star Game back in December had three consecutive games in which he scored not only the game-winning goals, but also had multiple goals in all three. That included a hat-trick in a win over Washington and a four-point game in a win over Thunder Bay. His 42 points ranked 4^th in NAPHL 16U scoring this season and was the highest point total for any player outside the Omaha AAA team.

#2 Star: Jordan Randall, Omaha AAA

#3 Star: Sam Renlund, Omaha AAA

 

16U Apex Peak Performer (Defense) – Coltan Wilkie, Omaha AAA

For the fourth time this season, Omaha AAA defenseman Coltan Wilkie, 16, is the 16U Defensive Peak Performer. The 5’9/175 lbs. native of Omaha, Nebraska, had 14 points in five games in Troy, which included 4 goals and 10 assists. That included recording at least a point in each of the five games, which were all wins for Omaha as they became the first team in NAPHL history to finish the regular season with a perfect record. That included two game-winning goals for Wilkie, a Colorado College recruit, and a five-point game in a win over Valley Forge. His 62 points in NAPHL play not only leads all NAPHL defensemen, but also ranked 2^nd in NAPHL scoring.

#2 Star: Jack Millar, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders

#3 Star: Nikolai Jenson, Omaha AAA

 

16U Apex Peak Performer (Goaltender) – Jacob Sibell, Omaha AAA

Omaha AAA 16U goalie Jacob Sibell, 17, was the definition of perfect during the last event in Troy, as the native of Cambridge, MN, posted a shutout in all three starts he had, helping Omaha to cap off a perfect NAPHL regular season with a 22-0-0 record. Sibell (6’0/190) faced 59 shots in the three wins and made 59 saves. That included 17 saves in a win over Madison, 15 saves in a win over Arizona and 27 saves in a win over Valley Forge. Sibell, who played in the NAPHL 16U All-Star Game for Team Dixon, finished the regular season 2^nd overall in 16U goaltending with a 1.00 GAA and a 93.9% save percentage, which was right behind teammate Kohl Reddy.

#2 Star: Griffin Foster, Meijer AAA

#3 Star: David Reduzzi, St. Louis Selects

 

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 2016-17 season will be the 2017 Dixon Cup Championship will take place from February 17-20, 2017 at the Troy Sports Center in Troy, MI and Fraser Hockeyland in Fraser, MI.

 

Apex Learning Virtual School

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.