T1ER Names USPA Peak Performers Following T1ER Central NAHL Experience Weekend

The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) is proud to announce the USPA T1ER Peak Performers from the T1ER Central NAHL Experience Weekend. The event took place January 30 - February 1 in Fairport, New York at the Rochester Ice Center, home of the NAHL’s Rochester Jr. Americans. From 18U to 16U, the weekend delivered thrilling competition and impressive performances across the league. These players stood out and earned well-deserved Peak Performer honors. 

18U:

Forward: Nathan Apple, Indiana Elite

Nathan Apple put together a strong weekend for Indiana Elite in Rochester, recording points in three of four games and turning in two separate three-point performances. With seven points on the weekend, Apple now sits tied for the team lead in scoring with 14 points on the season.

Apple opened the weekend by picking up an assist in game one, before being held off the scoresheet in game two. He bounced back in a big way against the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, delivering a clutch performance that helped power Elite to a hard-fought win.

Trailing 2–0 after the first period, Apple helped spark the comeback in the second, scoring one of Indiana’s two goals to even the score. He wasn’t finished there, finding the back of the net once again with under five minutes remaining in regulation to bury the game-winning goal in a 4–3 victory.

He carried that momentum into the team’s final game of the weekend against the South Hills Panthers, putting together a playmaking clinic with three assists to cap off an impressive showing in Rochester.

Defenseman: Max Ackley, Buffalo Jr. Sabres

Max Ackley was a steady presence on the blueline for the Jr. Sabres, recording points in all four games as the team went 3–1 over the course of the event.

Game one featured a 5–3 win over the Elmira Jr. Aviators, with Ackley picking up a powerplay assist on the eventual game-winning goal.

He turned up the heat over the final three games, finding the back of the net in each contest. That stretch included the opening goal in a win over the Ohio Prospects, a powerplay tally against Indiana Elite, and a clutch performance to close out the weekend.

In their final game, Buffalo found itself in a nailbiter against the Lincoln Stars. The Jr. Sabres held a 2–1 lead before the Stars tied the game late in the second period. With just over seven minutes remaining in regulation, Ackley stepped up and buried the game-winning goal, sending Buffalo out of Rochester on a high note.

Goaltender: Tobias Trieskey, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers

Tobias Trieskey stood tall between the pipes for the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, picking up a pair of wins against the Cleveland Barons and Lincoln Stars.

Against the Stars, the matchup was evenly contested, with both teams registering 25 shots on goal. Trieskey delivered the stronger performance, turning aside 23 shots and allowing just two goals as Philadelphia skated away with a 5–2 victory and a .920 save percentage on the night.

In game two, the ’08 netminder wasn’t tested as heavily, but still turned aside 11 shots to secure another win for the Jr. Flyers.

With 34 saves on 37 shots across the two games, the Pennsylvania native finished the weekend with a .919 save percentage, providing steady, reliable play in net throughout the event.

16U:

Forward: Nole Donohue, BK Selects

Nole Donohue helped lead BK Selects to a 3–1 showing in Rochester, making his presence felt with points in three of the team’s four games.

The ’09 forward opened the event by showcasing his playmaking ability, dishing out three assists in a dominant 9–0 win over Indiana Elite, with all three helpers coming in the first period.

In game two, a 5–2 victory over the South Hills Panthers, Donohue made his mark on special teams, scoring on the power play for the team’s fourth goal.

BK closed out the weekend against the Jr. Sabres, falling 5–3, but Donohue still found his way onto the scoresheet with a pair of assists to cap off another strong performance.

Defenseman: Kage Flory, Buffalo Jr. Sabres 

Despite being a defenseman, Kage Flory led the Jr. Sabres in scoring in Rochester, registering points in three games for a total of six points on the weekend.

Flory got on the scoresheet early in the weekend against the Pittsburgh Stars, recording an assist on the team’s second goal in a hard-fought 3–2 loss. He continued his playmaking in game three against the South Hills Panthers, tallying two assists, including one on the game-winning goal, as Buffalo cruised to a 4–1 victory.

Flory’s strongest showing came in the team’s final game, a 5–3 win over BK Selects. The ’09 blueliner scored twice, including a power-play game-winner, and added an assist for a three-point performance to cap off a dominant weekend.

Goaltender: Reese Myers, Pittsburgh Stars

Reese Myers was outstanding between the pipes for the Pittsburgh Stars, picking up two commanding wins over the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and South Hills Panthers.

Against the Jr. Sabres, Pittsburgh fell behind 2–0 early, but Myers and the rest of the Stars locked in, turning the tide to skate away with a 3–2 victory. With the offense doing its part, Myers carried his end in net, facing heavy pressure throughout the game. After allowing the first two goals, the ’09 netminder made 31 of 33 saves, including shutting down the Sabres on the man advantage.

He carried that momentum into game two, backstopping a 4–0 win over the South Hills Panthers. Once again limiting the opponent on the power play, Myers was a brick wall, turning aside all 21 shots for his second shutout of the T1ER season. With the two wins, his season record improves to 10–2, a strong showing as the playoffs approach.