The New York Aviators return from break this weekend but not without big news over the holiday break. One Wednesday, Dec. 1 the NA3EHL All-Star selections were announced and four members of the Aviators were selected to their first All-Star team.
Forwards Jimmy Warrick and Daniel Backstrom, the Aviators leading scorers so far in 2015-16, along with defensemen Eric Hewitt and goaltender Stephen Mundinger were all selected for the NA3EHL West All-Star team.
The NA3EHL’s top prospects All-Stars are made up of two teams, representing the East Division and West Division. The NA3HL is a sister Tier III league of the NA3EHL. The Aviators All-Star selections will have a unique opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a captive audience of scouts and recruiters from Tier I and II junior hockey along with NCAA Div. I and III schools. Each NA3EHL All-Star team will play three games against NA3HL teams during the NA3HL showcase in Blaine, MN.
Chicago, IL–native Warrick currently leads the Aviators with 51 points, including 19 goals and 32 assists in 21 games. Despite missing six games due to injury, Helsinki, Finland-native Backstrom has 34 points, including 12 goals and 22 assists in 15 games. Hewitt has made a name for himself throughout his four-year junior career as one of the top defensemen in Tier III junior hockey. He currently leads Aviators defensemen with 19 points, including 4 goals and 15 assists in 21 games.
Mundinger has been a standout in net for the Aviators all season. An intimidating presence at 6-7, 210 lbs, the Long Island, NY-native is currently third in the league with a .942 save percentage and leads the league in wins at 12 and 1,045 minutes played.
