Two more Viper Stars sign NAHL tenders

January 19, 2012

Jacob Hetz, a junior at Shaler Area High School, and Austin Heakins, a junior at Mars Area High School, both members of the 2011-2012 Pittsburgh Viper Stars 18U AAA hockey team, have signed tenders with North American Hockey League (NAHL) clubs for the 2012-13 season.

Hetz, a 5’11”, 180 lbs., forward, will have an opportunity to skate next season in Fairbanks, Alaska for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs head coach Trevor Stewart. The Ice Dogs are currently in second place in the NAHL’s West Division.

Hetz has scored 55 points (23 goals and 32 assists) in 50 games played so far this season. Helping the 18U AAA Viper Stars to an overall record of 34-15-2-1. He finished the 2011-2012 North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL) regular season as the ninth leading scorer in the PHL league play with 28 points (11 goals and 17 assists), in 22 league games.

A Glenshaw, PA, resident, Hetz helped lead the 18U Viper Stars to a first place finish in regular season play for the 17-team North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL), with an 19-2-0-1 record.

Heakins a 6’3”, 185 lbs., forward, will have an opportunity to skate next season in Port Huron, Michigan for the Port Huron Fighting Falcons head coach Bill Warren. The Fighting Falcons are currently in first place in the NAHL’s North Division.

Heakins has scored 43 points (11 goals and 32 assists) in 51 games played for the AAA 18U Viper Stars so far this season. He finished the 2011-2012 North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL) regular season as the tenth leading scorer in PHL league play with 26 points (7 goals and 19 assists), in 22 league games.

A Mars, PA, resident, Heakins will helped lead the 18U Viper Stars into PHL league playoff in Troy, MI, Feb. 17 – 20, as they attempt to capture their first PHL Playoff Championship in post-season action against the top eight U18 PHL clubs (Pittsburgh Viper Stars, Pikes Peak (CO) Miners, California Titans, Lansing (MI) Capitals, Wenatchee Wild (WA), Detroit Falcons, Phoenix (AZ) Firebird, and Orange Co. (CA)).

Hetz and Heakins join fellow 2011-2012 18U Viper Stars Bobby Tritschler (Jamestown Ironmen), Heinz Koster, (Aberdeen Wings) and Jake Pilewicz, (Minot Minotauros), who had previously signed tenders.