Spirit forward named honorable mention player of the week

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

WASILLA - Wasilla Spirit forward Mike Glaesmer was named an honorable mention in the voting for the Sher-Wood offensive player of the week, the North American Hockey League announced Wednesday.

Glaesmer scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena on Saturday.

He tallied an assist on his team's only goal of a 3-1 loss to Fairbanks on Friday.

A native of Traverse City, Mich., Glaesmer is in his second season with the Spirit. Last year he recorded 12 goals and 10 assists in 50 games for the Springfield Mo., version of the Spirit. This year his is second on the squad with 17 points - 10 goals and seven assists. He has a team-high five power play goals. Four of his scores have been game-winners, another team best.

Glaesmer is just the third Wasilla player to be recognized as an honorable mention in the player of the week voting. Forward Richard Leitner earned offensive honorable mention honors and goaltender Andrew Volkening received recognition as a defensive honorable mention on Nov. 18.

The Spirit, fresh off a two-game split with Fairbanks, have a two-week hiatus before they return to the ice. After its break, Wasilla travels north to Fairbanks for a two-game series that starts Dec. 16 at the Big Dipper Ice Arena.

Wasilla (15-18-0) is currently in second place of the NAHL West Division with 30 total points. The Spirit are five points ahead of third-place Fairbanks, but have played at least nine more games than any other team in the division. The Ice Dogs have a critical eight-game road trip before they return home to host Wasilla.