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Gorscak Recognized by NAPHL

By LT, 11/08/16, 5:00PM EST

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16U Esmark Forward Selected as a Apex Learning Peak Performer

The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced its Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performers for the month of October.  The players were selected based upon their performance at the second NAPHL event of the season, which took place at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, MN, Oct. 22 - 24, 2016. 

Christian Gorscak, a forward with the Esmark Stars U16 team, was selected as the Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer U16 #3 star - offense, for his performance in the Stars five games at the Showcase.

Gorscak opened the Showcase by registering a hat-trick (three goals) and an assist in a 9-1 win over Pursuit of Excellence (Vancouver, BC). In game two, he added one goal (a power play tally) in a 4-0 shut-out win over the Minnesota All-Star team MNEPDL Metro Southeast. In game three, Gorscak was kept off the scoresheet, but managed 7 shots on goal in a 6-3 win over the New Jersey Titans. In game four, Gorscak scored twice and added an assist in a 5-3 win over the Arizona Bobcats. In the closing game of the showcase, Gorscak added an assist in a 5-2 loss to league-leading Omaha AAA.

For the event, Gorscak recorded 9 points (6 goals and 3 assists) in five games. Overall, Gorscak has recorded 12 points (7 goals and 5 assists) in 9 NAPHL league games.

The NAPHL is comprised of five regular-season events leading up to its Championship Tournament Series in which the top teams in each division compete for a league championship. The third NAPHL event of the 2016-17 season will be the NAPHL Showcase and Future Prospects Tournament, which will take place from Nov. 11 - 13, 2016 in Superior, CO.

Apex Learning Virtual School

With more than 100 online high school courses and 20 years of experience, Apex Learning Virtual School offers players the opportunity to be both successful academically and available for practice and travel. Rigorous curriculum and the support of expert online teachers provide a strong academic foundation. The flexibility to complete online course work when and where it is convenient means school can fit with player's hockey commitments. Enrollment options include full time to earn a diploma and individual courses to fulfill specific requirements. For players wanting to qualify for Division I and Division III college teams, courses approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) are offered.

 About the NAPHL

Now in its 8th season, the NAPHL is composed of Midget Major (18U) and Midget Minor (16U) teams from across North America that compete at the Tier I level.  The NAPHL has established itself as the premiere training ground for development and exposure. Not only have players in the NAPHL received recognition from NHL Central Scouting, dozens have received scholarships to NCAA Division I schools and hundreds more have been drafted and tendered by North American Hockey League (NAHL) and United States Hockey League (USHL) teams. The NAPHL, which is sanctioned by USA Hockey, utilizes the USA Hockey Officiating Development Program and is designed to maximize the exposure of all the participants through the NAHL's high-profile recruiting events that attract hundreds of college, junior and professional scouts.

Numbers increase for NAPHL to NAHL to NCAA pathway

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is coming off another season of record-breaking NCAA commitment numbers. In 2016, the league had a total of 259 NCAA commitments. Of the 259 NCAA commitments, 176 (68%) of those were to NCAA Division I schools, while 83 were to NCAA Division III schools and two were to CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) schools. It marks the fifth season in a row that the NAHL has set a new single-season record for NCAA commitments.

FACT: The numbers again don’t lie. No other junior league in the world saw as many NCAA commitments for their players, while they were actually playing in the league. The NAHL finished second only to the United States Hockey League (USHL) in total NCAA commitments this past season.

“First and foremost, this is about the players and the quality of hockey currently being played in the NAHL,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “Players are being educated and trained at a higher level, which creates a much greater level of competition across the board. Their development is at an all-time high. The amount of work that goes into player development, which not only includes the on-ice component, but also off-ice training, coaching, video analysis and nutrition, is a big reason why this accomplishment is possible.”

However, one of the noticeable trends behind those commitments has been the fact that more and more players in the NAHL are coming from NAPHL programs. Now in its 8th season, the NAPHL has established itself as the premiere training ground for development and exposure at the USA Hockey youth Tier I level.

The advancement of NAPHL players to the league is even more prevalent than it ever has been. To start the 2016-17 season, 83 players that are alumni of the NAPHL are now playing in the NAHL.

This continues the recent upward trend of advancement by NAPHL players to the NAHL. During the 2016 NAHL Draft, a total of 17 NAPHL players were drafted. That is in addition to the 47 NAPHL players who were signed to a tender over the course of last season, bringing the total number of NAPHL players who played in the league in 2015-16 that were either tendered or drafted into the NAHL to 64.  The 64 players that were drafted or tendered into the NAHL set a new record.

Perhaps what is most encouraging is that NAPHL continues to see a rise of alumni that not only went onto advance to the NAHL, but then advance to the NCAA. There are many examples, which include some as recent as a few days ago. Former players Mason Krueger (Omaha AAA) and Jake Kucharski (Esmark Stars) have not only both found success in the NAHL after playing in the NAPHL, but both recently committed to play NCAA Division I hockey in November, with Kruger committing to Army and Kucharski committing to Providence.

“There is no question that a big part of the NCAA advancement and commitment success within the NAHL is due in large part to the ladder of development we share with the NAPHL. Each year we experience more in season movement and more advancement than the year before. Not only are these players growing and having success in the NAPHL, but then they are continuing that success in the NAHL and beyond. It is a rewarding feeling for all of us involved to see players that have spent time at all three levels,” remarked Frankenfeld.

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