Stefanek, Kim, Coutu named NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week

Photo credits: Garrett James Photography (Stefanek, Kim), Mariah Howes (Coutu)

Trail Smoke Eaters forwards Jason Stefanek, Christian Kim and Zach Coutu have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.

1st Star – Jason Stefanek (F) – Trail Smoke Eaters

Stefanek tied for the league lead in points last week with seven in just two games, scoring three goals and adding four assists.

On Friday, the Dartmouth College commit picked up a goal and two assists in a 6-3 road win over the Cranbrook Bucks, helping the Smokies set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive win. A night later, in a home matchup with the Vernon Vipers, Stefanek produced a career-best four-point night with two goals and two helpers in an 8-3 victory over the Vernon Vipers, extending the team’s winning streak to 11.

The 20-year-old is tied for eighth in league scoring with 45 points in 38 contests and was recently named the league’s 2nd Star of the Month.

2nd Star – Christian Kim (F) – Trail Smoke Eaters

Kim matched his teammate Stefanek with seven points last week, totaling two goals and five assists in a pair of wins.

The 2005-born forward had a goal and two helpers on Friday in his team’s 6-3 win over the Cranbrook Bucks, with two assists in the first and an empty-netter to seal the game in the third. On Saturday, Kim collected four points for the second time this year, finishing his night with a goal and three assists in Trail’s victory over the Vernon Vipers.

Kim, who was recently named the BCHL’s 3rd Star of the Month, is 10th in league scoring with 41 points in 38 contests.

3rd Star – Zach Coutu (F) – Trail Smoke Eaters

Joining his linemates in Trail with seven points apiece last week, Coutu had a goal and six assists over the Smoke Eaters two wins.

The Edmonton, Alta. product scored his first BCHL goal and added two assists in his team’s Friday night win over the Cranbrook Bucks, then piled up four assists on Saturday in their home win against the Vernon Vipers.

Since playing his first game with the team on Dec. 31, Coutu has 11 points in eight games, 10 of those coming via assists.