NA3HL.com

Gavin Erickson Texas Brahmas

In addition to Garvey’s production on the blue line, the Brahmas’ success this season has been anchored by rookie netminder Gavin Erickson. The ’07 goaltender has made a seamless transition to junior hockey, posting an impressive 21-5-1-0 record in his first NA3HL campaign. After earning runner-up Goaltender of the Month honors in September, Erickson has only continued to elevate his game.

February was another statement stretch. Erickson appeared in seven games, earning six wins, all coming in consecutive fashion. The Fargo, North Dakota native faced heavy volume throughout the month, seeing 247 shots and turning aside 231 for a .940 save percentage and a 2.26 goals-against average.

Two of his standout performances came in wins over Austin and New Mexico, where he delivered nearly identical stat lines, stopping 35 of 36 shots in each contest for a stellar .972 save percentage both nights.

With another strong month in the books, Erickson remains firmly among the league’s top goaltenders, currently ranking third overall in both goals-against average and save percentage, an impressive feat for a rookie netminder playing a major role in Texas’ push toward the postseason.

Head Coach Michael Rooney didn’t hesitate when asked about Erickson’s impact: “Gavin has been the backbone of our team upon his arrival. We have the utmost confidence in him. We know going into every game that he is going to perform and give our group the best opportunity to win. This month has been nothing short of that, starting with our series against New Mexico. He shut the door on every opportunity they had to climb back into the game on Friday, and on Saturday he made every save possible, giving us a chance to stay in the fight. He was lights out against El Paso allowing us to play free and helping us clinch the South Division. He continually sets the standard and raises our team expectations on a daily basis. We're really to see him earn this recognition and for what's to come in the future."

Runner up: Nathan Mach, Granite City Lumberjacks

Patrick Garvey Texas Brahmas

Second-year Brahmas defenseman Patrick Garvey has taken a noticeable step forward in his age-out NA3HL campaign, already surpassing his rookie-season point total, and February proved to be his breakout month on the blue line for Texas.

In nine games, the Silver Lake, Ohio native recorded nine points, including six goals and three assists. Garvey posted three separate two-point performances during the month, elevating his play as the Brahmas locked up the top spot in the South Division.

One of his most clutch moments came on the 7th in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Ice Wolves. With Texas trailing 2-1 late in regulation, Garvey delivered in dramatic fashion, scoring with just a tenth of a second remaining to force overtime and keep the Brahmas alive.

He followed that up with another standout performance in a 6-2 win over El Paso, finding the back of the net twice. The 6’4” defenseman opened the scoring with the game’s first two goals, including a powerplay tally, setting the tone and jumpstarting the Brahmas’ offense.

With steady production and clutch moments throughout the month, Garvey has become a key two-way presence on the back end as Texas prepares for the postseason.

Brahmas Head Coach Micahel Rooney has seen Garvey’s growth firsthand this season: "Patrick has worked a lot on his game over this season. This year we have really focused on his offensive side of the game. He has developed into a quality two-way player, which makes him an extremely hard matchup for any opponent. Seeing his scoring touch come through this month was the culmination of all his work. He is a player that has bought into the group's mentality and a contributor to the success of the team. It's awesome to see him achieve this honor."

Runner up: Dayton Ruppel, Louisiana Drillers

Ty Smith Granite City Lumberjacks

After earning Star of the Week honors twice in February, it comes as no surprise that Ty Smith has now been named Star of the Month.

In just seven games, the Chaska, Minnesota native exploded for 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists), averaging an eye-popping 3.29 points per game. Smith recorded at least one point in all seven contests, extending his personal point streak to 12 games as the Lumberjacks gear up for the postseason. Even more impressive, every single outing was a multi-point performance, highlighting the consistency and offensive punch the second-year forward brings as Granite City’s leading scorer.

One of his most memorable performances of the month, and arguably the season, came on the 14th in a statement 7-4 road win over the Blizzard. Smith was unstoppable, scoring four goals with two in the first period and two more in the second, including a power-play tally in each frame.

Smith’s individual success mirrored Granite City’s dominance, as the Lumberjacks went undefeated during the month and continue to close in on the top spot in the West Division heading into the playoffs.

After a record-breaking season, Lumberjacks Head Coach DJ Vold made it clear just how valuable Smith has been to the team: “Ty has been our offensive engine all season long. When we’ve needed a big moment, he’s delivered. Breaking both the single-season goals and points records for our franchise says a lot about the kind of year he’s had. We’re excited to see him keep pushing and finish this season the right way.”

Runner up: Brody Neish, Louisiana Drillers