LAINE, Minn. – The North American Prospects Hockey League has announced its rosters for it upcoming under-18 All-Star Game, which goes Sunday, December 15 in Blaine, Minn., and a trio of Thunder Bay Happy Time Tours major midget Kings have been selected to compete.
Thunder Bay goaltender Eric Vanska, defenceman Alex Pineau and forward Travis Hensrud were among those named to the NAPHL Blue U-18 All-Star squad for the match-up that gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 15 in Blaine.
Vanska, who is 17, sports a solid 1.97 goals-against average along with a .919 save percentage and one shutout for his side in NAPHL play. In six appearances he sports a 5-1 record.
As for the 16-year-old Pineau, he tops all Thunder Bay defenders and is tied for fourth overall in goals among league blueliners with five in 10 appearances and also has an assist.
Hensrud, 17, meanwhile is playing at a point-per-game pace for the Kings with nine is an many outings on five tallies and four helpers.
NAPHL U-18 All-Star teams were selected based on nominations from all league coaches and player evaluations from North American Hockey League Central Scouting throughout the first three months of the 2019-20 season.
The defending NAPHL Dixon Cup U-18 champion Kings currently sit in first place in the league’s Elite U18 Division with a 9-3 mark through their first 12 games.
Meanwhile, both the Thunder Bay Dairy Farmers peewee and the Maritime Petroleum Advisory Services (MPAS) bantam Kings finished with 2-2 records at the 42 annual Spirit of Duluth tournament that wrapped up Sunday.
The peewees produced wins over the Eden Prairie Eagles (3-1) and the Arizona Bobcats (3-1) while suffering setbacks to the Osseo-Maple Grove Orioles (5-3) and Edina Hornets (5-3).
As for the Thunder Bay bantams, they topped the Elk River Elks (6-1) and the Lakeville North Panthers (7-0), but fell to the Minnetonka Skippers (5-1) and Prior Lake Lakers (3-2).
