Gillette Wild forward Zach Slinger was awarded the NA3HL Frontier Division Bauer Hockey Star of the week, the league announced on Tuesday afternoon. The Fairbault, MN native bagged five goals during the Wild’s weekend series sweep of the Badlands Sabres in Rapid City, SD. Slinger led the way scoring three goals in a 6-1 Wild victory on Friday night before finding the back of the net twice in their 9-2 win Saturday. He has now notched nine points through Gillette’s first four games.
Forward JP Johnson was announced as the Frontier Division 2nd Star of the Week. Johnson, from St. Michael, MN, recorded six points, including a goal and three assists Friday, and a pair of goals Saturday night. He also has nine points through the first four games of the season.
This marks the second time this season a member of the Gillette squad has received the weekly first star honor. Saizha Norwegian was recognized with the award earlier in the month following his six-point weekend as the Wild swept the season-opening series against the Bozeman Icedogs in Gillette. The Warroad, MN product collected four points, including a hat trick in the home opener, an 8-0 win, before adding two assists in the series finale 6-1 victory.
Goalie Jake Turek was recognized with a Frontier Star of the Week Honorable Mention for his performance in the season-opening victory for Gillette. Turek, from North Branch, MN, turned away all 28 shots he faced in the 8-0 Wild victory.