NAHL announces Easton Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending October 5, 2014. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2014-15 regular season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Players of the Week award.
Central Division Star of the Week: Atte Tolvanen, goalie, Minot Minotauros
The Minot Minotauros picked up three of a possible four valuable points last weekend on the road in Kenai River and helping lead the way was goaltender Atte Tolvanen. The 19-year-old from Vihti, Finland, played in both games over the weekend and allowed just two goals in the two games. On Friday night, Tolvanen (6’0/188) made 37 saves through regulation and overtime, only to see the Minotauros fall in a shooutout, 2-1. On Saturday, Tolvanen stopped 21 of 22 shots in a 6-1 win. For the weekend, Tolvanen stopped 58 of 60 shots that came his way for a 96.7% save percentage. “Atte was solid in both games and it was a great goalie battle to watch on Friday night. Every point helps and he kept us in both games and allowed us to earn those valuable points in the standings,” said Minot head coach Marty Murray.
2nd Star: Zach Glienke, F, Brookings Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Bitsakis, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Christian Mohs, F, Minot Minotauros – Andrew Shortridge, G, Aberdeen Wings – Michael Soucier, F, Aberdeen Wings – Alex Strand, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Patrick Munson, goalie, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
The Ice Dogs were looking to get back on track after a four-game losing streak and they turned to veteran goaltender Patrick Munson, 19, to try and get back on the winning side of things. The native of Hugo, MN, got the start and won both weekend home games in a sweep of the Bismarck Bobcats. On Friday, Munson (6’3/190) made 23 saves in a 3-1 win over the Bobcats. On Saturday, Munson stopped 24 of 26 shots that came his way in a 3-2 win. For the weekend, Munson stopped 47 of 50 shots, good for a 94% save percentage. “Patrick was very solid in goal for us last weekend. In close games like that, it was important to come up with the big saves during the times that the team needed it,” said Fairbanks head coach Trevor Stewart.
2nd Star: Sandis Zolmanis, F, Soo Eagles
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Adam Carlson, G, Coulee Region Chill – Sam Carlson, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Josh Creelman, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Brock Kautz, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Johnny Mueller, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
North Division Star of the Week: Trevor Gorsuch, goalie, Michigan Warriors
With the Warriors needing to get their season headed back in the right direction, they turned to veteran goalie Trevor Gorsuch. The native of St. Charles, Missouri, playing a big role in leading the Warriors to the Robertson Cup Semi-Finals last year and at was that form that helped Michigan capture a weekend road sweep of the Keystone Ice Miners in Connellsville this past weekend. On Saturday night, Gorsuch (6’2/205) made 32 saves in a 3-2 win. On Sunday afternoon, the 20-year-old posted his first shutout of the season, stopping all 21 shots that came his way in a 4-0 win. For the weekend, Gorsuch stopped 53 of 55 shots, good for a 96.4% save percentage. “Trevor was the main reason why we were able to win the games in Keystone. Our guys responded to each save he made and that gave us some much needed momentum,” said Michigan head coach Moe Mantha.
2nd Star: AJ Marcinek, F, Michigan Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Trevor Cope, F, Soo Eagles – Joey Lupo, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Dryden McKay, G, Springfield Jr. Blues – Sandis Zolmanis, F, Soo Eagles
South Division Star of the Week: Sebastian Vidmar, forward, Lone Star Brahmas
The Lone Star Brahmas picked up three valuable points in two games last weekend in Wichita Falls and in the process, snapped the Wildcats five-game winning streak. 20-year-old forward Sebastian Vidmar made his presence felt with a four-point weekend, which included two points in each of the games. On Friday, the native of Malmo, Sweden, had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Wildcats. On Saturday, Vidmar (6’2/190) had the game-winning goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over Wichita Falls. He was also a +4 during the two games. “Sebastian is playing some of the best hockey of his career. He does the little things that lead to the bigger things and that’s exactly what happened this past weekend,” said Lone Star head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Willie Brown, F, Topeka RoadRunners
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nate Colwell, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Anthony Cortese, D, Corpus Christi IceRays – Mike Gornall, F, Topeka RoadRunners
